Court Grants Ramaphosa Interim Relief in Impeachment Inquiry

On July 24, 2026, the Western Cape High Court granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict, temporarily halting Parliament's Section 89 impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala scandal. The court's decision prevents the impeachment committee from proceeding with public hearings until the President's review application challenging the legality of the independent panel's report is adjudicated.

The independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, had previously found prima facie evidence suggesting that President Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of the Constitution or the law concerning the theft of foreign currency from his Phala Phala game farm. In response, the President's legal team argued that allowing the impeachment process to continue before the review's conclusion would cause irreparable harm and undermine the principles of justice.

This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in balancing the separation of powers and ensuring that constitutional processes are adhered to meticulously. The outcome of the forthcoming review will be pivotal in determining the future course of the impeachment proceedings and could have significant implications for the President's tenure and South Africa's political landscape.