Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry: Constitutional Court orders Parliament to resume Phala Phala process
via The Citizen15 min read
The Constitutional Court ruled on May 8, 2026, that Parliament acted irrationally in December 2022 by rejecting the referral of a Section 89 panel report to an impeachment committee. This decision mandates the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee, as outlined in Rule 129I, to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry will focus on three potential grounds for removal: serious violation of the constitution or law, serious misconduct, or inability to perform duties. Key aspects of the investigation will likely include the origin of $580,000 stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in February 2020, which he stated was payment for buffaloes to Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa. Questions persist regarding the cash transaction, the non-delivery of the buffaloes, and why the money was not returned. The inquiry will also examine allegations of a cover-up, including the failure to report the burglary to the South African Police Service and the alleged involvement of Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service, in a cover-up and unlawful cross-border activities. The storage of the cash for 44 days without declaration to the South African Reserve Bank, violating Exchange Control Regulations, will also be scrutinized. Following the committee's report, the National Assembly will vote on removal, requiring a two-thirds majority of 267 votes. The current Government of National Unity, comprising the ANC and its partners, holds 287 seats, indic
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South Africa is experiencing a cold winter with strong cold fronts expected to persist into August, according to SA Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela. While temperatures in central and eastern parts of the country are anticipated to normalize for winter, Vox Weather meteorologist Annette Botha noted that historically, significant cold fronts often occur in late June, July, and August. Looking ahead, there is increasing discussion about the possibility of the current El Nino strengthening into a strong or even super El Nino later in 2026 and into 2027. Botha clarified that an El Nino does not automatically guarantee drought for South Africa, as its impacts depend on its strength, timing, and interaction with other climate drivers, primarily affecting the summer rain region. The current winter forecast remains largely unchanged by El Nino, as its influence is typically greater during spring and summer. Agricultural Business Chamber of SA chief economist Wandile Sihlobo mentioned warnings of a potential drought in the summer of 2026-27 due to a stronger El Nino, which could pose challenges for farmers, despite the excellent output of the 2025-26 production season.
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