President Cyril Ramaphosa standing at a podium refusing to resign, with South African flag in the background.
President Cyril Ramaphosa standing at a podium refusing to resign, with South African flag in the background.
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Ramaphosa refuses to resign over Phala Phala panel report

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President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed South Africans on Monday to declare he will not resign following the Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala matter. He announced plans to seek a judicial review of the independent panel report. The president maintained that he has committed no crime.

On Monday 11 May 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated he would take the Section 89 panel report on review in court on an expeditious basis. He said the report contained grave flaws and relied on hearsay evidence. Ramaphosa accepted the Constitutional Court judgment from 8 May but emphasised his constitutional right to challenge the panel findings.

The court ruled that National Assembly rules on impeachment were unconstitutional. This followed challenges by the EFF and ATM over the 2022 decision not to refer the panel report to an impeachment committee. The speaker has now referred the report to such a committee for further processing.

Ramaphosa insisted he had not stolen public money or violated his oath. He said resigning would give credence to a flawed report and undermine national renewal efforts. Legal experts noted the review could take up to a year and may run alongside committee proceedings.

Watu wanasema nini

Initial reactions on X show mixed sentiments, with some users arguing the Phala Phala issue does not warrant resignation and calling it a weak case for political point-scoring, while opposition voices demand accountability through parliamentary questioning. Many posts highlight Ramaphosa's decision to seek judicial review instead of stepping down, noting the high threshold for impeachment.

Makala yanayohusiana

A dramatic courtroom scene from the Constitutional Court hearing on President Ramaphosa's impeachment over Phala Phala.
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Constitutional court orders impeachment committee for Ramaphosa over Phala Phala

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South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally by blocking an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022. The decision requires the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee to examine the Phala Phala matter. Opposition parties immediately called for the president's resignation.

South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled today that parliament must establish an impeachment committee to examine allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm theft.

Imeripotiwa na AI

The Democratic Alliance says it will participate in any impeachment process following the Constitutional Court ruling that found the National Assembly acted inconsistently with the Constitution in the Phala Phala matter.

South Africa's National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola made his first court appearance in Pretoria on April 21, 2026, facing four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. The charges relate to a R360-million police tender allegedly irregularly awarded to Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's company. The case was postponed to May 13.

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The sudden resignation of Ekurhuleni's finance committee member Jongizizwe Dlabathi has left the municipality's R51-billion budget in limbo, just weeks before it was due to be tabled. The move follows Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza's recent reshuffle that reduced the EFF's positions and prompted their withdrawal from the coalition. This has plunged the metro into deeper political uncertainty.

A special Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting called to discuss flood response collapsed on Thursday evening due to the absence of an acting city manager. Opposition parties boycotted the session, arguing it could not proceed legally without a head of administration. The metro has been without an appointed acting city manager since late March.

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Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has urged accelerated service delivery during Freedom Day celebrations in Malamulele. Residents there voiced ongoing concerns over water shortages, poor roads, and lack of housing and clinics. Ramathuba pledged visible changes and praised President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership.

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