Constitutional Court ruling on Phala Phala challenges ANC's GNU partners to uphold accountability
via The Citizen3 min read
South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that parliament acted unconstitutionally and irrationally by voting against adopting the Section 89 independent panel report into the alleged robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa鈥檚 Phala Phala farm in 2020. This decision set aside parliament鈥檚 previous vote, which had shielded the president from impeachment proceedings. Opposition parties are now challenging the parties within the Government of National Unity GNU to prioritize South Africa's interests and constitutional obligations over political perks. EFF leader Julius Malema stated that with the ANC no longer holding a parliamentary majority, parliamentarians must use their conscience to hold the president accountable. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont noted that various government institutions, including parliament, have previously protected Ramaphosa from accountability. Build One South Africa emphasized that the ruling sends a clear message that constitutional obligations cannot be sidestepped for political convenience. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona called for the immediate establishment of an impeachment committee. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis affirmed his party's commitment to accountability and constitutionalism, stating that the judgment will shape how parliament holds future presidents accountable. The ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, indicated that the party is studying the judgment.
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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
The Electoral Commission of South Africa IEC announced that 477,000 new voters registered during the weekend of June 20-21, with 80% of these being young people aged 16 to 29. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo highlighted that youth-focused campaigns are resonating, indicating that young people are not apathetic voters. The commission recorded 2.9 million registration transactions in total, surpassing the 1.7 million transactions from the comparable 2021 voter registration weekend. Female voters accounted for 57% of all transactions and 53% of new registrations, continuing a trend of more females on the voters' roll. KwaZulu-Natal led provincially with 691,000 transactions. The IEC has also made its online voter registration portal zero-rated and plans a second registration weekend on August 1-2. An online candidate nomination system is live for political parties and independent candidates. Mamabolo also addressed a circulating video showing alleged registration irregularities in Mpumalanga, stating that a criminal investigation has been launched into the matter.
The African National Congress in the City of Johannesburg currently lacks a mayoral candidate for the upcoming local government elections. A leaked letter from Kgalema Motlanthe, chair of the ANC鈥檚 Electoral Committee, to Sasabona Manganye, the party鈥檚 Johannesburg regional secretary, and Johannesburg Regional Office Bearers members, indicates that previous nomination processes were flawed and inconsistent with the party鈥檚 constitution. The letter states that the Regional Executive Committee nominated only one mayoral candidate, Loyiso Masuku, and delegated the nomination of the other two candidates to the Office Bearers, which was deemed a dereliction of duty and non-compliant with party rules. Motlanthe's office has instructed the Johannesburg REC to reconvene a special meeting to nominate three mayoral candidates. These candidates must be scrutinized for qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, expertise, integrity, and capacity. REC members must be allowed to comment on suitability and nominate other candidates. The final list of three candidates, with at least two being female, must achieve 50% plus one of the REC members' votes and reach the secretary-general鈥檚 office by Saturday, July 20, 2026. This directive follows a complaint from Muzi Ndlovu and an REC member regarding the flawed selection process. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast commented that the ANC's brand has been damaged regardless of who becomes the mayoral candidate.