Parliament Speaker Thako Didiza has confirmed that thy will establish a committee to look into the Phala Phala matter.
Image: GCIS
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza confirmed that Parliament will establish an impeachment committee following a dramatic Constitutional Court judgment that overturned Parliament’s controversial handling of the Phala Phala saga.
On Friday, the apex court declared parts of Parliament’s impeachment rules unconstitutional and invalid, while also scrapping the National Assembly’s 2022 decision that blocked the Phala Phala report from advancing to a full impeachment inquiry.
Didiza announced that the Independent Panel Report, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, will now be formally handed to an impeachment committee in line with the Constitutional Court’s directive.
“The processes directed by the Court must now proceed in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of the National Assembly,” Didiza said in a statement that signalled Parliament’s intention to comply fully with the ruling.
The ConCourt found that Rule 129I — the parliamentary rule governing the initial handling of impeachment matters under Section 89 of the Constitution, was unconstitutional.
The court not only struck down the rule but also introduced temporary amendments to guide Parliament until the National Assembly formally rewrites its rules.
In another blow to Parliament’s previous handling of the scandal, the court ruled that the NA’s decision on December 13, 2022, to reject the Independent Panel’s findings was unconstitutional and invalid.
That decision had allowed Ramaphosa to survive a potentially devastating impeachment process after the panel found there was prima facie evidence that he may have violated the Constitution in relation to the theft of foreign currency concealed at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
The scandal erupted after former State Security Agency boss Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of concealing the theft of millions of dollars allegedly hidden inside furniture at the game farm and bypassing proper law enforcement procedures.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the money was proceeds from the legitimate sale of game animals.
He also survived intense political pressure from opposition parties and factions within the ANC during the height of the scandal in 2022.
Now, nearly four years later, the Constitutional Court ruling has revived a political firestorm many believed had faded.
Didiza confirmed that Parliament will immediately begin the process of establishing an impeachment committee in terms of Rules 129J to 129O of the National Assembly Rules.
The committee will consider whether sufficient grounds exist for a Section 89 inquiry against the president.
She also confirmed that Ramaphosa will receive a copy of the Independent Panel Report as ordered by the court.
The speaker said parliament’s rules Subcommittee would urgently review and amend the Assembly’s rules to align them with the Constitutional Court judgment.
Opposition parties including the EFF, ATM and ActionSA welcomed the ruling as a victory for accountability and constitutional oversight, while analysts say the judgment could reshape how Parliament handles impeachment proceedings in future.
The ruling also delivered a sharp reminder that parliament cannot use flawed procedures to shield powerful political figures from scrutiny.
With the impeachment process now officially back on the table, parties expected Ramaphosa to resign.
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