South Africa’s National Assembly is set to reopen impeachment-related proceedings against President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa after the Constitutional Court ruled on Friday (May 8) that Parliament acted unconstitutionally by rejecting an independent panel report on the Phala Phala case.
The case stems from the alleged theft of about 580,000 U.S. dollars from Ramaphosa’s private game farm in Limpopo Province in 2020, raising questions over whether the money was properly declared and reported.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said Parliament would restart the Section 89 impeachment process and outline timelines and Committee arrangements in due course.
The independent panel, chaired by former Constitutional Court judge Sandile Ngcobo, previously found prima facie evidence suggesting possible constitutional and legal violations by the president.
Responding on Monday, May 11, C. Ramaphosa said he respected the Court’s ruling but maintained he had committed no wrongdoing. In a national address on Monday night, he rejected claims that he violated the law or misused public funds, insisting he would not resign and intended to continue serving the people of South Africa.