THE Phala-Phala saga has taken a new twist.
President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa’s inquiry into a burglary at his farm that he was accused of covering up, has been revived, as per the Court ruling last Friday.
The outcome was delivered by Constitutional Court that ruled Parliaments’ Phala Phala vote was invalid and unconstitutional, according to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, saying Parliament must amend Rule 129(i) of the National Assembly’s rules and refer the matter to the impeachment committee.
This means the judgement fundamentally changes the impeachment process and closes the door on political protection through parliamentary voting.
“The political consequences are very clear,” said analyst Lukhona Mnguni, adding that Ramaphosa must now choose whether he wants to endure an impeachment process or resign.
Alternatively, he could seek a judicial review of the advisory panel’s findings after the Constitutional Court ruled that parliament erred in setting aside its 2022 report, which found the president may have breached the constitution over his handling of the cash-in-sofa scandal.
The saga began in 2020 when $580,000 was stolen from President Ramaphosa’s farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo province.
The Economic Freedom Front and African Transformation Movement, successfully approached the Apex court on this matter.
That means an impeachment process will have to unfold.
With local elections coming in November, this could work for, or against the ANC.
Image provided (Pres Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa could possibly face impeachment on the Phala Phala saga.)
