President Ramaphosa Stays in Office After Court Ruling on Phala‑Phala Scandal

What the Constitutional Court Decided

The Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament’s vote in December 2022 to block impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa was unconstitutional. The court said that vote must be set aside and ordered the independent panel’s report on the alleged Phala‑Phala farm burglary to be sent to an impeachment committee.

Why the Case Matters

The Phala‑Phala Allegations

In 2020 a burglary at Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo reportedly saw large amounts of foreign cash go missing. Critics claim the president hid the incident from police and tax officials. An independent panel later said he “may have committed serious violations and misconduct.”

Opposition Push for Action

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) appealed the earlier parliamentary decision, leading to the court’s ruling. Following the verdict, the MK Party and the African Transformation Movement filed motions of no confidence against Ramaphosa.

ANC Leadership Reacts

Gwede Mantashe’s Comments

ANC national chairman Gwede Mantashe said the president is “relaxed, calm, and willing to go through the process.” He stressed that Ramaphosa will not take shortcuts or resign just to avoid scrutiny.

Fikile Mbalula Calls Urgent Meeting

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula announced an urgent ANC‑National Executive Committee meeting for Monday to discuss the court ruling, Parliament’s next steps, and growing pressure for the president to step down.

Parliament’s Next Move

Setting Up an Impeachment Committee

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza confirmed that Parliament will establish an impeachment committee to examine the Phala‑Phala matter. The committee will work under new rules because the court also struck down Rule 129I, which governed the early stages of impeachment.

What This Means for the ANC

Some senior ANC sources warn that removing Ramaphosa could be a major blow to the party, potentially weakening it further. Others say the party must follow the process, even if the outcome is uncertain.

President’s Response

The presidency said it has “noted the verdict” and that Ramaphosa respects the court’s decision. A statement from the president emphasized his belief that nobody is above the law and that all allegations should be handled through due process without bias.

Conclusion

The Constitutional Court’s decision has reopened the path toward a possible impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala‑Phala scandal. While ANC leaders insist the president will cooperate with the investigation, opposition parties continue to call for his removal. The coming days will see Parliament shape its impeachment process, and the nation will watch to see how the situation unfolds.