Ramaphosa Seeks High Court Interdict to Halt Impeachment Inquiry

President Cyril Ramaphosa filed an urgent application with the Western Cape High Court to interdict Parliament's Section 89 impeachment committee. The proceedings stem from an independent panel report regarding the 2020 theft of approximately $538,000 to $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo. Ramaphosa argues the report is "fatally flawed" and that proceeding with public hearings before a judicial review would cause him "irreparable harm" and "humiliation."

Opposition parties, including the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and African Transformation Movement (ATM), opposed the application. They characterized the bid as a delay tactic and argued that the president's reputational concerns do not override Parliament's constitutional obligation to hold the executive accountable. MK Party leader John Hlophe further asserted that the application sought to overturn a prior Constitutional Court ruling that revived the report.

Speaker Thoko Didiza declined to oppose the interdict, stating Parliament would abide by the court's ruling, a decision that prompted the MK Party to file a motion of no confidence against the president. Impeachment committee chairperson Makashule Gana opposed the bid, maintaining that the committee's important work must continue.

Judge Andre Le Grange reserved judgment on the interim interdict and is expected to deliver a ruling by the end of next week. A full review application regarding the validity of the panel report is scheduled for September.