On May 8, 2026, the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria ordered the National Assembly to revive and reconsider an impeachment motion against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The motion, originally filed by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) in 2022, relates to the Phala Phala farm scandal, where foreign currency was stolen from Ramaphosa's game farm in 2020.
The court found that Parliament's previous decision to dismiss the motion without a full investigation was unconstitutional. Judge President Selby Mbenenge stated that the National Assembly failed to follow proper procedures under Section 89 of the Constitution, which allows for removal of a president for serious misconduct.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that the stolen money was from the sale of game animals and was legally declared. The Presidency has indicated it will appeal the ruling, arguing that the matter was already resolved by a 2022 independent panel that found no evidence of impeachable conduct.
Political analysts say the ruling could deepen divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the 2029 general elections. The case is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal within months.
