South African opposition leader Julius Malema has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign after the country’s Constitutional Court ruled that parliament acted unlawfully in blocking impeachment proceedings against the president in 2022.
The ruling followed a legal challenge brought by Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) alongside other groups, with the court finding that parliament violated the constitution in the manner it handled the impeachment process.
The judgement could pave the way for renewed impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa over the “Phala Phala” scandal, which has continued to generate political controversy in South Africa.
Responding to the judgement, Ramaphosa’s office said the president respected the court’s decision and remained committed to the constitution, judicial independence, and the rule of law.
“President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice,” the presidency said in a statement.
The controversy stems from a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo Province, where about $580,000 in cash hidden inside a sofa was reportedly stolen.
Questions were later raised about the origin of the money and whether the president had complied with regulations governing foreign currency transactions. Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing, insisting the cash came from the sale of buffaloes.
An independent panel in 2022 concluded that the president may have a case to answer, but parliament voted against establishing an impeachment committee after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) used its majority to block the move.
However, the ANC has since lost its outright parliamentary majority following the 2024 general election and now governs through a coalition arrangement.
Speaking outside the court in Johannesburg, Malema said Ramaphosa should step down and focus on defending himself against possible impeachment proceedings.
“You cannot serve the two — one is going to suffer,” he said, referring to Ramaphosa’s role as president and the potential impeachment process.
The EFF has reportedly written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza requesting clarity on the next steps following the court ruling.
Meanwhile, the ANC said the judgement demonstrated the importance of allowing democratic institutions to function independently within South Africa’s constitutional framework.
Three suspects are currently standing trial in connection with the alleged theft at the Phala Phala farm.
