BREAKING NEWS: Ramaphosa Files Urgent Court Application to Pause Parliament’s Phala Phala Impeachment Inquiry

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed an urgent court application to interdict and pause Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee that is investigating allegations related to the Phala Phala farm scandal, the Presidency confirmed Friday.

The application was lodged in the High Court. According to court papers, Ramaphosa is seeking an order to interdict the committee from proceeding with its work until the court determines the lawfulness of the process.

The Phala Phala matter relates to a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm and subsequent questions around the declaration of foreign currency found on the property. Parliament established the Section 89 Impeachment Committee in late 2022 to assess whether the President has a case to answer on charges of violating the Constitution or committing a serious violation of law.

Presidential spokespersons stated the urgent application argues that the committee’s process is flawed and that continuing with proceedings would cause irreparable harm. The court will decide whether to grant the interdict on an interim basis pending a full review.

Parliament has not yet responded formally to the court filing. The Speaker’s Office said it will study the application and file responding papers before the court date. The Impeachment Committee was scheduled to continue hearings this week. It remains unclear if those proceedings will go ahead pending the court’s decision.

Section 89 of the Constitution allows Parliament to remove a sitting president if a two-thirds majority finds them guilty of serious misconduct, violation of the Constitution, or serious violation of law. The process starts with an independent panel, followed by a parliamentary committee, and then a vote by the National Assembly.

This is not Ramaphosa’s first legal challenge related to Phala Phala. Previous court applications and a Public Protector report have been subject to review and appeals.