South Africa’s political crisis deepens after panel says the president should face scrutiny over the ability to stay  in office 

Jason Burke in Johannesburg 1 Dec 2022 11.48 GMT

The government of Cyril Ramaphosa has plunged further into crisis, a day after an independent panel appointed by parliament said there was evidence suggesting the South African president committed “serious misconduct” after millions of dollars in cash were reportedly stolen from his private game ranch almost three years ago. Ramaphosa was expected to answer questions in South Africa’s parliament on Thursday but postponed his appearance, saying he needed time to consider the panel’s timing. The deputy president, David Mabuza, canceled a keynote address at a World Aids Day commemoration event, while key spokespeople failed to hold regular briefings. The South African rand has fallen sharply with fears growing of a protracted period of political instability that will hold back reforms to boost the country’s flagging economy.