President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation Monday evening from the Union Buildings in Pretoria regarding a Constitutional Court judgment on the Phala Phala scandal [1], [4].
The address follows a pivotal ruling by the apex court that invalidated rule 1,291 of the National Assembly's rules [1]. This legal shift removes a procedural barrier that previously impacted the handling of the Phala Phala report, potentially opening the door for further legislative or legal accountability for the president.
Ramaphosa spoke to the public at 8 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026 [2]. The broadcast was transmitted nationally from the Union Buildings [4]. The president used the platform to respond to the court's decision to strike down the specific assembly rule as unconstitutional [1].
Amid the legal turmoil, the president's position remains firm. "I will not resign," Ramaphosa said [6].
The fallout from the judgment has already triggered movement within the government. Thoko Didiza said Parliament intends to establish an impeachment committee to investigate the matters surrounding the Phala Phala case [3]. The scandal, which involves undisclosed foreign currency found at the president's farm, has remained a central point of political contention in South Africa.
By addressing the nation directly, Ramaphosa sought to manage the narrative following the court's intervention in parliamentary procedure. The ruling effectively resets the legal landscape for how the National Assembly can process reports, and hold the executive accountable [1], [5].
“"I will not resign."”
The Constitutional Court's decision to strike down rule 1,291 removes a significant legal shield for the presidency, shifting the Phala Phala scandal from a procedural debate to a potential impeachment process. By refusing to resign, Ramaphosa is betting on his political survival and the stability of his coalition, even as the judiciary narrows the path for parliamentary immunity.
