South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament must revive impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to a judgment delivered on May 9, 2026. The court found that the African National Congress (ANC) majority in Parliament had improperly blocked the process in 2022.
The case stems from the 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal, where foreign currency was stolen from Ramaphosa's game farm. An independent panel had previously found preliminary evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated the constitution, but the ANC-led Parliament voted to dismiss the impeachment report in December 2022.
The Constitutional Court's unanimous decision stated that Parliament's failure to follow proper procedures violated the constitution. The court ordered the National Assembly to resume the impeachment process within 90 days.
President Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the funds came from the sale of game. The scandal has been a major political issue in South Africa, with opposition parties accusing the president of corruption and money laundering.
This ruling marks a significant legal and political development, potentially impacting Ramaphosa's presidency ahead of the 2029 general elections. The impeachment process will now proceed under parliamentary rules.
