President Cyril Ramaphosa has formerly announced his decision not to resign on Tuesday. This follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court that challenged Parliament’s refusal to adopt the Section 89 Panel report, which investigated alleged misconduct by the President following the 2020 theft of approximately US $580,000 from his private Phaala Phaala farm in Limpopo. The application for it was brough by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM).
The President has decided to take the report of the Section 189 Panel that probed the events around the theft of money at his Phaala Phaala farm in Limpopo on Judicial review.
His decision effectively halts the impeachment process to be undertaken by parliament via an impeachment committee. Ramaphosa dug in his heels during a broadcast address to the nation on Monday, and said he will not resign as president of the republic. He said he would not be forced to resign by those “who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption”. His decision to stay put was seen as a victory for his supporters, who would have been left in the political wilderness if he quit early without finishing his term in 2029. His decision came as calls for him to step down are gaining momentum in the ANC. Some members raised dissatisfaction over the party’s continuous electoral decline under his leadership.
Ramaphosa’s decision to challenge the ruling by the nation’s highest judicial body rather than resign, shows he wants to be a force of stability. If Ramaphosa were to be “recalled” by the ANC, then the way of succession would be left open. Who would be the next (interim) president? Deputy President Paul Mashatile is himself deeply involved in illicit practices. There is the matter of Speaker Thoko Didiza of the National Assembly taking the mantle, but it is still early to tell, who would be regarded as fit for the role. Ramaphosa does have the right to challenge the ruling on the Phaala Phaala farm scandal, but his chances of proving himself innocent of wrongdoing are low. It is likely he may have to be compelled to tell the truth, but that will depend on how far he is will to go in terms of being transparent and accountable for his actions.
The independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and South African Police Service (SAPS) have come under intense scrutiny – over how the President’s actions in regard to the Phaala Phaala scandal were treated – by Parliament on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
Presenting the findings, Ipid’s head of investigations, Thuso Keefelakae, told MPs the probe was finalised in October 2023, with the report being declassified in April 2026. He said the investigation found that Rhoode failed to report the crime to the then-national police commissioner Khehla Sithole and did not open a case docket for housebreaking and theft. Evidence also pointed to Rhoode’s involvement in the kidnapping and interrogation of former farm employee Froliana Joseph and her brother, Ndilinasho David Joseph. Rhoode’s trip to Namibia in June 2020 in search of the siblings formed part of the probe, although Ipid said it could not reach adverse findings on that aspect.
The report further indicated that Sergeant Hlulani Rekhoto had been instructed by Rhoode to track down additional suspects in Cape Town.
The above explanation shows that was a major concealment of the theft from the police on Ramaphosa’s part. Why? The President may not have been transparent about whether any taxes had been paid on the income of the US $ 580,000 purchase of buffaloes from the farm by a Sudanese businessman. The subsequent kidnapping/detainment and interrogation of a former farm employee her brother stands out as evidence of foul play. Amid all of these accusations is the question concerning why was this kept secret. Why was this crime not reported to the police? It could set a bad precedent for any member of the elite to act above the law.
The President has to set an example of respect. Rule of law must always follow. However, as events and circumstances unfold in the coming months Ramaphosa’s faith will be determined.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
