President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign following the Constitutional Court’s landmark judgment relating to the Section 89 impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala scandal.

Addressing the nation from the Union Buildings in Tshwane tonight (11 May), Ramaphosa said he accepted and respected the Constitutional Court’s ruling, but maintained that nothing in the judgment compelled him to step down from office.

The address follows the Constitutional Court’s ruling handed down on 8 May in a matter brought by the EFF and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) in 2024, challenging the National Assembly’s handling of Section 89 impeachment proceedings against the President.

Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the impeachment of a president should they be found to have seriously violated the Constitution or the law, committed serious misconduct, or become unable to perform the functions of office.

The ruling clears the way for the matter to be referred to an impeachment committee and reconsidered through constitutionally compliant parliamentary processes, marking a significant development in the ongoing Phala Phala saga.

The matter stems from a February 2020 robbery at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, during which approximately $580 000 in cash, allegedly concealed in furniture, was stolen.

The independent panel appointed in terms of Section 89 was not tasked with determining guilt, but rather with assessing whether sufficient evidence existed for Parliament to initiate a formal impeachment inquiry.

In its findings, the panel concluded that Ramaphosa “may have committed” serious violations of the Constitution and the law, and may have engaged in serious misconduct.

The report further raised concerns relating to possible money laundering, corruption and the handling of the robbery investigation.

Following the release of the report in December 2022, the National Assembly voted on whether to adopt its findings and proceed with an impeachment inquiry.

The ANC used its parliamentary majority to vote against adopting the report, effectively halting impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa.

However, the Constitutional Court has now ruled that flaws in the National Assembly’s rules rendered that parliamentary vote invalid and unconstitutional.

The court ordered that the independent panel’s report be referred to Parliament’s impeachment committee.

Ramaphosa said the judgment had created “much commentary, debate and speculation” and acknowledged growing uncertainty in the country following the ruling.

“There have been calls from certain quarters calling on me to resign. At the same time, there have also been calls for me not to resign,” he said.

“I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign.”

Ramaphosa emphasised in his speech that the Constitutional Court had made no findings regarding his alleged conduct and had not ruled on whether there was sufficient evidence to justify impeachment.

“The Constitutional Court made no finding on whether there was prima facie evidence of misconduct, nor if the alleged conduct, if established, justifies impeachment and the removal of the President,” he said.

Ramaphosa reiterated that he had consistently denied wrongdoing since criminal complaints were first laid against him in June 2022.

“I have not stolen public money, committed any crime nor violated my oath of office,” he said.

The President said he had cooperated with all investigations and inquiries relating to the matter and would continue to do so.

He also announced that he would proceed with a legal review application against the independent panel’s report.

According to Ramaphosa, he had initially intended to challenge the report in court after its release in 2022, but did not proceed after Parliament voted against adopting it, effectively rendering the report without legal consequence at the time.

The Constitutional Court judgment now changes that position because the report is set to be placed before Parliament’s impeachment committee.

Ramaphosa said his legal team advised him that the report was reviewable on several grounds, including what he described as a misconception of the panel’s mandate, errors of law and “unfounded conclusions of fact”.

“I have therefore decided to proceed to take the independent panel’s report on review on an expeditious basis,” he said.

He insisted the move was not an act of disrespect toward Parliament, but rather an effort to ensure that findings informing parliamentary processes are legally and factually sound.

Ramaphosa further argued that resigning at this stage would amount to pre-empting a constitutional process that is still unfolding.

“To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption,” he said.

With the matter now heading to an impeachment committee, speculation has mounted over whether Ramaphosa could ultimately step down from office. Political observers have also questioned whether Deputy President Paul Mashatile could assume the presidency should such a scenario arise.

The impeachment committee will now be tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation in line with the constitutional procedures outlined by the court. The process is expected to take several weeks, if not months, to conclude.

ALSO READ: WATCH | President to address nation following Constitutional Court ruling on Phala Phala report

The Phala Phala matter has remained a source of political controversy since the allegations first surfaced, with opposition parties repeatedly calling for accountability and transparency.

The Constitutional Court’s intervention now ensures that the matter will undergo the constitutional scrutiny required by law.

Parliament will be required to establish the impeachment committee in accordance with the court’s directive and the constitutional provisions governing such proceedings.

Ramaphosa used Monday evening’s address to defend his administration’s record, citing efforts to rebuild institutions damaged by State Capture, recover stolen funds, prosecute alleged perpetrators and combat organised crime and corruption.

ALSO READ: Constitutional Court: Phala Phala vote was invalid and unconstitutional

He said government remained focused on economic recovery, job creation and strengthening democratic institutions.

“Guided by the rule of law and the principle of accountability, I intend to fulfil and complete the mandate that you, the people, have given me,” Ramaphosa said.