Constitutional Court to deliver judgment in Phala Phala case, potentially impacting President Ramaphosa
via The Citizen3 min read
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to deliver its judgment on May 8 regarding the Phala Phala case, a decision that could renew pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa. This ruling follows a legal challenge by the Economic Freedom Fighters EFF and the African Transformation Movement ATM in November 2024, after parliament declined to adopt a Section 89 independent panel report. The panel had concluded there was sufficient basis for Ramaphosa to address questions about the alleged theft of approximately $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. The National Assembly voted against referring the report for an impeachment process in December 2022, and a subsequent attempt to establish an ad hoc parliamentary committee in March 2023 also failed. The scandal became public in June 2022 when former State Security Agency SSA boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa and the head of the Presidential Protection Service PPS, Wally Rhoode, alleging concealment of a $4 million theft. Ramaphosa confirmed a burglary, stating the cash was payment for Ankole cattle. Investigations by the Public Protector, the South African Reserve Bank SARB, and the South African Revenue Service Sars cleared the president of wrongdoing, but the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Ipid reported that Rhoode covered up the break-in and interrogated suspects. If the ConCourt rules in favor of the EFF and ATM, parliament might be compelled to reconsider the Section 89 repor
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Some members of the Democratic Alliance DA are reportedly upset about the decision to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. The discontent stems from an alleged agreement between current DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Steenhuisen, where Steenhuisen would retain his ministerial role if he did not seek another term as party leader. Hill-Lewis has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, proposing Steenhuisen's replacement by Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, with Steenhuisen moving to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Ramaphosa has not yet confirmed these changes. Some DA members claim they were not consulted on the reshuffle, with one source suggesting that Hill-Lewis's decision has exposed party divisions and that Steenhuisen feels "betrayed." Political analyst Prof Theo Neethling indicated that the move might be "pure DA damage control" due to Steenhuisen's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which alienated many farmers. Hill-Lewis, however, stated his decision was made in the best interests of the DA and the government of national unity, prioritizing public and voter loyalty.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, stated she does not hold her father responsible for her expulsion from the MK party, instead blaming individuals surrounding the party's leadership. She made these comments at a media briefing on Sunday, following her and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela's expulsion from the party on Thursday. Zuma-Sambudla indicated she has not yet discussed the expulsion with her father but plans to do so next week. The party cited a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela as reasons for their removal. Zuma-Sambudla was accused of undermining party unity and promoting factional narratives, while Ndhlela was accused of unauthorized media briefings and misrepresenting party positions. Ndhlela claims that both his and Zuma's roles in the MK party were undermined and that he and Zuma-Sambudla will challenge their expulsions in the high court, asserting that no disciplinary hearing was held before their removal.
A Limpopo councillor, Netshivhumbe Gumani, 44, was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit SIU investigator with R70,000 to disregard evidence in a corruption probe. The investigation concerns allegations of maladministration and corruption related to two tenders by the Mahikeng Local Municipality. Gumani reportedly approached three SIU investigators, offering R10,000 in cash as part of the bribe during a meeting in Mahikeng. The SIU, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Hawks, conducted an entrapment operation leading to Gumani's arrest. He faces corruption charges and appeared in the Molopo Magistrates' Court, with his case postponed to June 29, 2026, for a bail application. The SIU stated that its investigators maintain high integrity and that attempts to corrupt them will be met with legal action.