President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a live national address on Monday, May 11, 2026 [1], following a ruling by the Constitutional Court.
The address comes as the apex court revived impeachment proceedings against the president. This legal shift places Ramaphosa's tenure in immediate jeopardy by removing a procedural barrier that had previously stalled efforts to remove him from office.
The Constitutional Court struck down Rule 1,291 [3] of the National Assembly’s rules, declaring it unconstitutional. This specific rule had acted as a shield against the impeachment process regarding the Phala Phala scandal, a controversy involving bundles of foreign currency stolen from a sofa at the president's ranch [2].
Ramaphosa is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. [2] local time. The broadcast will originate from the Union Buildings in Pretoria [4].
The Phala Phala incident has remained a point of intense political friction in South Africa. The revival of the impeachment process signifies that the judiciary has found the previous legislative protections for the presidency to be legally insufficient. By invalidating the National Assembly's rule, the court has reopened the door for lawmakers to pursue a formal removal process.
Government officials have not released a full agenda for the speech, but the timing suggests a direct response to the judicial ruling. The president is expected to address the legality of the funds and the implications of the court's decision on his ability to lead the country.
“The Constitutional Court struck down Rule 1,291 of the National Assembly’s rules as unconstitutional.”
This ruling represents a significant blow to the presidency's legal defenses. By striking down Rule 1,291, the Constitutional Court has shifted the power back to the National Assembly, making the president vulnerable to a legislative vote on his removal. The outcome now depends on whether there is sufficient political will within the parliament to proceed with impeachment based on the Phala Phala findings.
