South Africa’s National Assembly is set to form an impeachment committee aimed at examining President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the Phala Phala controversy, following a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed Parliament’s previous actions unlawful.
On 8 May 2026, the court issued a unanimous decision stating that Parliament acted irrationally when it voted 214-148 in December 2022 to dismiss a report from an independent panel. This report, led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, indicated that there was prima facie evidence of significant misconduct by the President.
The scandal originated on 9 February 2020 when burglars took approximately $580,000 in foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s private game farm, leading to allegations of a potential cover-up.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) contested Parliament’s decision in 2022. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya pointed out that the National Assembly must not carry out impeachment processes in a manner driven by political motives.
Parliament has expressed its respect for the ruling. The Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa maintains his adherence to the Constitution.
The newly formed impeachment committee will assess whether to propose the President’s removal.
