S.Africa's beleaguered Ramaphosa in talks

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party postponed a meeting to discuss the fate of President Cyril Ramaphosa, accused of concealing a crime in a new anti-corruption report released this week.

Members of the party's highest decision-making body, the National Executive Committee (NEC) including former President Thabo Mbeki had gathered in the afternoon, but the meeting was soon adjourned.

Party Treasurer and acting Secretary-General Paul Mashatile told reporters they would first submit the panel report to the ANC's national working committee, with the NEC to hold another meeting.

An independent panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo released a report that found President Ramaphosa guilty of not reporting a $4 million theft at his private farm in the Limpopo province in 2020.

The panel was set up in September after former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa in June, accusing him of money laundering and covering up the theft.

Its findings were handed over to parliament speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

Opposition politicians and opponents within the ANC have been calling for Ramaphosa to resign and the country to hold an early election.

Ramaphosa cancelled multiple engagements, including an appearance before the National Council of Provinces, the parliament's upper house, where he was scheduled to answer questions.