The ANC has called in urgent NEC meeting after ConCourt ruling on Phala Phala scandal.
Image: Oupa Mokoena
ANC secretary-general (SG) Fikile Mbalula has called an urgent ANC NEC meeting following the Constitutional Court judgment on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Phala Phala scandal.
Sources said the meeting will focus on the court ruling, Parliament’s next steps, and growing calls for Ramaphosa to resign or face impeachment.
“This could not wait because everyone is calling for the president to be impeached or resign,” a senior ANC source said.
“Parliament now has to act after the ruling.”
Another source admitted the judgment could seriously damage the ANC.
“This might be a blow for us as the ANC if Ramaphosa is removed, but we have to deal with it because it could weaken the organisation even further,” the source said.
When asked whether the ANC was considering possible new leadership, the source responded: “Only time will tell.”
The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that parts of Parliament’s impeachment process were unconstitutional and invalid.
The court also overturned the National Assembly’s 2022 decision to block the Phala Phala report from moving to a full impeachment inquiry.
The court found that Parliament acted unlawfully when it rejected the findings of the independent panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo.
Senior ANC leaders have since been locked in meetings with National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to discuss the political and legal implications of the judgment.
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli and advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi are also part of the discussions.
Ngcukaitobi, who represented Ramaphosa in the Constitutional Court matter, is expected to brief the ANC on legal options available following the ruling.
Ramaphosa has since said he will respect the Constitutional Court judgment.
However, opposition parties are demanding his resignation and preparing to table a motion of no confidence against him in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Didiza confirmed that Parliament will now establish an impeachment committee to deal with the Phala Phala matter.
“The processes directed by the Court must now proceed in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of the National Assembly,” Didiza said.
The Constitutional Court also struck down Rule 129I, the parliamentary rule governing the initial handling of impeachment proceedings under Section 89 of the Constitution.
Parliament is now expected to amend its rules and continue with the impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala scandal.
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