ANC Under Pressure After Constitutional Court Revives Phala Phala Impeachment Process

The African National Congress (ANC) is facing renewed political pressure following a landmark Constitutional Court ruling that has reignited scrutiny over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s involvement in the controversial Phala Phala matter.

Political analysts and party insiders have urged the ANC to urgently convene meetings of its highest decision-making bodies to assess the impact of the judgment, which could significantly complicate the party’s preparations for the 2026 local government elections.

In a major legal setback, the Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that the National Assembly acted unlawfully when it voted in December 2022 against adopting the findings of the Section 89 Independent Panel, which had concluded that Ramaphosa had a prima facie case to answer regarding the Phala Phala scandal.

The apex court declared Parliament’s decision unconstitutional and invalid, effectively overturning the earlier vote and ordering that the panel’s report be referred to Parliament’s Impeachment Committee in line with National Assembly rules.

The independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, had been tasked with assessing whether sufficient grounds existed to initiate impeachment proceedings against the president. Its findings raised serious questions over Ramaphosa’s conduct related to the theft of large sums of undeclared foreign currency from his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.

The scandal, which first surfaced in 2022, has remained one of the most politically damaging controversies of Ramaphosa’s presidency. Allegations surrounding the hidden cash, the reporting of the theft, and claims of a possible cover-up have continued to fuel criticism from opposition parties and sections of civil society.

While the ANC previously rallied behind Ramaphosa, helping him survive political fallout and maintain his position both as president and party leader, the Constitutional Court’s ruling has reopened wounds that many within the party had hoped were behind them.

Analysts warn that the revived impeachment process could become a major distraction for the ANC at a time when it is already battling declining voter support, internal divisions, and increasing public frustration over service delivery failures, corruption, and economic hardship.

The matter is also expected to provide fresh political ammunition for opposition parties, who have consistently argued that Ramaphosa must be held accountable. Several parties are likely to intensify calls for transparency and parliamentary action as the impeachment committee begins its work.

Within ANC circles, there are growing concerns that prolonged legal and political uncertainty surrounding Ramaphosa could undermine the party’s campaign efforts ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Some insiders believe urgent leadership consultations are necessary to determine how the party should manage both the political fallout and public messaging.

The ANC’s National Executive Committee and other senior leadership structures may now be forced to confront difficult questions about succession planning, internal unity, and how closely the party should continue aligning itself with Ramaphosa amid mounting scrutiny.

For President Ramaphosa, the Constitutional Court ruling represents another significant challenge in a presidency already marked by attempts to rebuild trust after years of state capture and institutional decline. Although the ruling does not determine guilt, it revives a process that could keep the Phala Phala controversy firmly in the national spotlight for months to come.

As Parliament prepares to revisit the matter, all eyes will be on both the ANC and Ramaphosa, with the political consequences of the judgment likely to shape South Africa’s political landscape well beyond the courtroom.