South Africa's Constitutional Court revives Ramaphosa impeachment over Phala Phala scandal
Primary region Africa
Tags Justice · Corruption · Policy
Regions Africa
South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled on May 8 that Parliament's 2022 decision to block impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala cash scandal was unconstitutional and invalid. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya ordered the independent Section 89 panel's report referred directly to Parliament's impeachment committee. The ruling found Rule 129(i)(b) of National Assembly rules unconstitutional, removing parliament's discretion to halt impeachment after an independent panel finds sufficient evidence. The scandal centers on approximately $580,000 in foreign currency allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa's game farm in 2020. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in 2024, and the DA signaled it would not shield Ramaphosa. An impeachment committee is expected to take several months before deciding whether to recommend formal proceedings.
Strategic interpretation
The ruling is a landmark for South African constitutionalism, establishing that Parliament cannot override independent panel findings on presidential misconduct. With the ANC no longer holding a parliamentary majority, Ramaphosa's political survival depends on coalition dynamics. The case tests whether South Africa's democratic institutions can hold a sitting president accountable.