What's happened
Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee, revived by a Constitutional Court ruling, is moving to elect a chair and begin hearings on the Phala Phala scandal. President Cyril Ramaphosa has challenged the process in court while opposition parties push for accountability.
What's behind the headline?
What is driving this now
- The Constitutional Court’s ruling has forced Parliament to restart the impeachment process.
- Ramaphosa is challenging the Independent Panel’s conclusions in court, signaling ongoing legal battles alongside the inquiry.
- Opposition parties aim to ensure the committee is not perceived as controlled by the ANC, pushing for transparent procedures.
What to watch next
- The chair's election will shape the inquiry’s tempo and tone.
- Timelines for hearings and witness calls will be set, impacting the investigation’s momentum.
- Public confidence hinges on how Parliament conducts scrutiny and whether new evidence surfaces.
How we got here
The Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in 2022 by rejecting the Independent Panel findings on the Phala Phala scandal. A new 31-member impeachment committee is set to be formed to determine if Ramaphosa has a case to answer over the 2020 theft of foreign currency from his Limpopo farm. The inquiry follows growing political pressure as the ANC's majority no longer guarantees control over the process.
Our analysis
All Africa (02 Jun 2026) reports Makashule Gana’s appointment as chair, with coverage of the parliamentary setup and Ramaphosa’s legal challenge; All Africa (01 Jun 2026) outlines the initial committee formation and constitutional ruling; Al Jazeera (28 May 2026) and Reuters (28 May 2026, 26 May 2026) provide context on party positions and legal challenges. Reuters also notes court rulings backing revival of impeachment; Independent (26 May 2026) offers background on the Farmgate allegations.
Go deeper
- What happens if the chair is from the ANC?
- When will the first hearings start and who is expected to testify?
- How might the court challenge influence the inquiry’s timeline?
More on these topics
-
Cyril Ramaphosa - President of South Africa
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African politician and the fifth and current President of South Africa. Previously an anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader and businessman, Ramaphosa served as the Deputy President of South Africa from 2014 to 20