By Julia Moyo
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that he will not resign following the Constitutional Court judgment related to Parliament’s handling of the Section 89 impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala farm theft scandal.
Addressing the nation from the Union Buildings on Monday evening, Ramaphosa said the judgment had created “much commentary, debate and speculation” and acknowledged that many South Africans were concerned about the implications of the ruling. “There has been much concern and uncertainty in the country over the last few days following the delivery of the Constitutional Court judgment,” the president said.
The Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that aspects of the National Assembly’s rules governing the removal of a president were unconstitutional. The court also ordered that the report of the independent panel established in 2022 be referred to Parliament’s Impeachment Committee. The independent panel had previously found prima facie evidence suggesting that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct and violated the Constitution in relation to the theft of foreign currency from his farm in February 2020.
The president said the court’s judgment dealt with Parliament’s processes and did not make any findings regarding his conduct. “The Constitutional Court made no finding of any kind regarding my alleged conduct,” he said. “The Court made no finding on whether there was prima facie evidence of misconduct, nor if the alleged conduct, if established, justifies impeachment and the removal of the President.” Ramaphosa said the ruling instead focused on flaws in Parliament’s impeachment procedures and reaffirmed constitutional principles, including the right to challenge the panel’s findings through judicial review.
“As the Court ruled, the independent panel’s recommendation to proceed with an impeachment inquiry must be implemented, unless and until the report is set aside on review,” he said. “On the basis of advice from my legal team … I have therefore decided to proceed to take the independent panel’s report on review on an expeditious basis.” The president maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing and reiterated that he has cooperated with all investigations and inquiries relating to the matter.
“Since a criminal complaint was laid against me in June 2022, I have consistently maintained that I have not stolen public money, committed any crime nor violated my oath of office,” he said. Ramaphosa also directly addressed growing calls for his resignation following the Constitutional Court ruling. There have been calls from certain quarters calling on me to resign. At the same time, there have also been calls for me not to resign,” he said.
“I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign.” The president argued that stepping down would undermine constitutional processes and the work being done to rebuild state institutions and combat corruption. “To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption,” he said.
Ramaphosa used the address to defend his administration’s efforts to strengthen institutions weakened during the era of State Capture in South Africa, saying progress had been made in restoring credibility and integrity to state institutions. “Stolen funds are being recovered. Alleged perpetrators are being prosecuted,” he said. “We are implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and those responsible for wrongdoing against our people are being dealt with.”
The president also highlighted ongoing government efforts to combat organised crime, kidnapping and gang violence while focusing on economic recovery and job creation amid global economic challenges. “Guided by the rule of law and the principle of accountability, I intend to fulfil and complete the mandate that you, the people, have given me,” Ramaphosa said.“I will remain in your service and will continue to act in your interests and in the interests of our diverse and remarkable nation.”
