President Cyril Ramaphoza. (Photo: Getty Images).

South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog has found no evidence of wrongdoing by President Cyril Ramaphosa linked to the theft of $580,000 from his farm in 2020, according to the BBC.

Public protector Kholeka Gcaleka has concluded in a preliminary report, that Mr Ramaphosa did not violate an ethics code or abuse his role as head of state.

The report says the president declared the theft within weeks of it taking place three years ago.

However, the head of the presidential protection service, Maj Gen Wally Rhoode, reportedly acted improperly by carrying out an unofficial investigation into the crime.

An independent panel set up by South Africa’s parliament decided late last year that Mr Ramaphosa had a case to answer, prompting calls for his resignation.