Phala Phala: ConCourt Orders Parliament to Initiate Impeachment Inquiry

Pretoria – The Presidency has acknowledged the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the case initiated by the Economic Freedom Fighters, which contested the National Assembly’s actions concerning Section 89 proceedings against the President.

On Friday, 8 May 2026, the Constitutional Court declared that the National Assembly acted unlawfully and irrationally when it voted in December 2022 to dismiss the Section 89 Independent Panel’s report related to the Phala Phala farm burglary involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The court determined that Parliament failed to adequately fulfill its constitutional oversight duties by disregarding the panel’s prima facie findings of potential serious breaches of the Constitution and misconduct without proper evaluation or referral to a committee.

The apex court annulled the Assembly’s decision and mandated Parliament to form an ad hoc committee to commence a legitimate impeachment inquiry process.

In response to the ruling, the Presidency stated: “President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledges the Constitutional Court’s decision and reaffirms his dedication to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law.”

The Presidency further added: “President Ramaphosa has consistently offered his full cooperation in the various investigations related to this matter.

“President Ramaphosa believes that no individual is above the law and that any allegations should undergo due process without fear, favor, or prejudice.”

The President urged all South Africans to respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling and all judicial institutions.

Opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, hailed the decision as a triumph for the rule of law, while the African National Congress affirmed its intention to honor the judgment.