Will Ramaphosa Survive the Phala Phala Scandal?
Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s political future is back on the line after the Constitutional Court revived the Phala Phala impeachment process, but the numbers in Parliament still lean in his favour. On Friday, 8 May 2026, the court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in 2022 when it blocked a formal inquiry into the scandal. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya declared National Assembly Rule 129I unconstitutional and set aside the 13 December 2022 vote that had stopped the Section 89 panel report from advancing. What the court ordered
The judgment does not declare Ramaphosa guilty. It says Parliament must refer the independent panel’s report to an impeachment committee for a full inquiry. The panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct over the theft of $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. The court held that once a panel finds enough evidence, Parliament cannot stop the process with a simple vote. “Rule 129I subverts this requirement of transparency,” Maya wrote. swisherpost.comjournalnews.co.zaWhat happens next
The impeachment committee will now hear evidence and decide if Ramaphosa committed a serious constitutional violation, serious misconduct, or is unable to perform his duties. If it recommends removal, a vote in the National Assembly follows. Ramaphosa said he respects the ruling and will cooperate fully. The Presidency added that he has consistently assisted enquiries into the matter. The political math
Analysts say Ramaphosa still has a path to survival. The ANC lost its majority in 2024 and now governs through the Government of National Unity, but the 2022 vote saw 214 MPs block the process while 148 supported it. Opposition parties, including the DA and EFF, say they will push for open hearings. The timing is awkward. The ruling lands six months before local government elections and amid strain in the GNU. The DA has warned it will not defend wrongdoing, raising questions about coalition cohesion. What’s at stake is the scandal centres on undeclared foreign currency found hidden in a couch at Ramaphosa’s farm. Questions remain about why it wasn’t reported sooner, the origin of the cash, and the role of state security. Ramaphosa says the money came from a buffalo sale and has denied wrongdoing. For Ramaphosa, the court’s decision means the Phala Phala shadow won’t go away. For South Africa, it’s a test of whether Parliament can hold a sitting president to account without collapsing the coalition. Parliament said it will study the judgment and consider next steps. The committee is expected to convene in the coming weeks
