South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally when it blocked efforts in 2022 to begin impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision could reopen the door to renewed impeachment attempts, placing the president’s political future under renewed pressure.
The case stems from a legal challenge brought by opposition parties following the controversial Phala Phala farm incident, where large sums of foreign currency were reportedly stolen from the president’s private residence.
In 2020, about $580,000 was allegedly taken from Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo province. The money had been concealed inside a sofa, according to reports at the time. The president stated that the funds came from the sale of buffalo and denied any wrongdoing or misconduct.
A panel of legal experts later suggested that Ramaphosa may have a case to answer regarding how the money was handled and whether proper declarations were made. However, in 2022, Parliament voted against launching impeachment proceedings, effectively halting the process.
That decision has now been overturned in principle by the Constitutional Court, which found that lawmakers failed to meet their constitutional obligations in handling the matter.
The ruling comes at a politically sensitive moment, as the African National Congress (ANC) no longer holds a parliamentary majority following the 2024 general elections. The party now governs in a coalition, which could make it harder for Ramaphosa to rely on automatic legislative support in any future impeachment process.
The original controversy has already led to criminal proceedings involving three individuals accused of the theft at the Phala Phala property. Those court cases are still ongoing.
While the Constitutional Court ruling does not itself remove the president from office, it increases political uncertainty and could prompt renewed calls for accountability within Parliament.
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