ConCourt sends Phala Phala report back to parliament, potentially reopening impeachment inquiry
via The Citizen13 min read
The Constitutional Court ConCourt has ruled that the Section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala scandal must return to parliament, a decision that could revive an impeachment inquiry against President Cyril Ramaphosa. This judgment, delivered on May 8, 2026, comes over 500 days after the case was heard. The Economic Freedom Fighters EFF and the African Transformation Movement ATM brought the case to the ConCourt after parliament initially declined to adopt the report in December 2022. The panel had found sufficient grounds for Ramaphosa to address questions regarding the alleged theft of approximately $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya apologized for the delay in the judgment and stated that Rule 129I of the National Assembly rules was inconsistent with the constitution and therefore invalid, as it hindered meaningful engagement on impeachment motions. The ConCourt's decision mandates the National Assembly to correct this rule and proceed with the Section 89 panel report to an impeachment committee.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
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The MK party has rejected claims linking its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, to the July 2021 unrest and a planned 30 June march, calling them baseless political propaganda. This follows a report suggesting discussions among sources close to Zuma about a potential repeat of the 2021 unrest, particularly concerning a gathering of "about 20 000 illegal foreign nationals" in Durban. MK party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu stated that the report lacks factual evidence and relies on anonymous sources, asserting that President Zuma has consistently advocated for peace and lawful political activism. Mahlangu condemned attempts to tarnish Zuma's reputation without credible evidence and urged media houses to uphold accuracy. Meanwhile, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned that law enforcement would decisively address any actions undermining safety and security on 30 June, with potential assistance from the South African National Defence Force. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously dismissed the 30 June deadline for migrants, noting that some individuals use the immigration debate to incite disorder. Anti-illegal immigrant protests have escalated in recent weeks, and the civil society group March and March views the deadline as a critical point due to perceived state failure in enforcing immigration laws. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has cautioned against xenophobic violence, emphasizing lawful and humane migration management and condemning fake new
Makashule Gana, Chairperson of Parliament's Impeachment Committee, has filed an opposing affidavit in the Western Cape High Court, supporting the committee's decision to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's attempt to halt its work. Gana stated that shielding the President would violate constitutional accountability and breach the separation of powers. He affirmed the committee would continue its work despite the legal challenge, with a meeting scheduled to consider terms of reference and the appointment of evidence leaders. Ramaphosa is seeking to have the Independent Panel's report declared unlawful and set aside, challenging its findings of prima facie evidence of constitutional violations and misconduct. He is also seeking an urgent interdict to prevent the impeachment inquiry from starting until his separate review application against the report is finalized. Gana argued that granting the interdict would suspend the committee's work for years, violating the constitutional principle of separation of powers. He also addressed Ramaphosa's claims of reputational harm, vowing the panel would act independently, fairly, and transparently, and that the President would have every opportunity to challenge evidence. Gana emphasized the committee's limited mandate, stating it would not remove the President and would return a verdict of not guilty if charges are not supported by credible evidence. Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza has chosen not to oppose Ramaphosa's urg