DA Calls for Ramaphosa Accountability After Court Ruling

The Democratic Alliance called for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s accountability after the Constitutional Court ruled Parliament must initiate an impeachment process regarding the Phala Phala matter.

This development places the presidency under significant legal pressure as the nation's highest court has effectively dismantled the legislative shield that previously protected the president from further investigation.

The court set aside and invalidated the Section 89 vote on the Phala Phala report. The ruling found the previous process unconstitutional, meaning Parliament must now investigate the merits of the case before any further vote is conducted ^[1]. This legal mandate creates a direct path toward an impeachment process.

The Constitutional Court delivered the judgment on Dec. 13, 2022 ^[1]. Despite the timing of the ruling, the Democratic Alliance has renewed its public demands for accountability this month, stating that the rule of law must be upheld as the matter moves toward the impeachment phase.

The Phala Phala case centers on the recovery of foreign currency at the president's home. The court's decision to invalidate the Section 89 vote means the National Parliament in Cape Town cannot rely on previous legislative outcomes to close the matter. Instead, the body must follow the court's directive to conduct a rigorous investigation into the president's conduct.

Representatives from the Democratic Alliance said the party will continue to push for transparency. The ruling from the court in Johannesburg ensures that the executive branch remains subject to judicial oversight, a cornerstone of the South African legal system.