South African Constitutional Court Rules Parliament Failed on Ramaphosa Impeachment Inquiry

South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally in 2022 by blocking efforts to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision opens the way for a potential revival of the impeachment process.

The ruling follows a legal challenge brought by opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema. A panel of legal experts had previously concluded that Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding the theft of $580,000 in cash, reportedly hidden in a sofa, from his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo province in 2020. The incident led to allegations that the President had failed to properly account for the funds.

At the time of the original parliamentary vote in 2022, Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) held a majority, which allowed them to block the impeachment. However, following the 2024 general election, the ANC now governs in a coalition. Malema has since called for Ramaphosa's resignation, arguing that he cannot effectively serve as President while facing a new impeachment inquiry with "serious implications on him as an individual."