Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament must begin an impeachment inquiry into the head of state.
The apex court found on Friday that Parliament acted incorrectly when it chose not to adopt the Section 89 independent panel report, which concluded that Ramaphosa may have breached his constitutional obligations.
The panel report centred on the theft of foreign currency from the President’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo six years ago, and determined that there may be grounds for Ramaphosa to answer to allegations relating to his conduct.
Constitutional Court Ruling Revives Phala Phala Impeachment Process
The Constitutional Court’s decision effectively reopens the process that could lead to an impeachment inquiry under Section 89 of the Constitution.
The Section 89 panel was established to assess whether there was sufficient evidence to suggest that the President had committed serious misconduct or violated the Constitution. Its findings indicated that Ramaphosa may have a case to answer.
Parliament had previously voted against adopting the report, but the court has now ruled that decision was unlawful, compelling lawmakers to reconsider the matter.
Julius Malema Says Ramaphosa Should Step Aside
Speaking to the media after the judgment, Malema said Ramaphosa should resign in order to preserve the dignity of the presidency while preparing for the impeachment proceedings.
He argued that it would be impossible for the President to balance the demands of leading the country while simultaneously defending himself in an impeachment inquiry.
“It’s now up to Ramaphosa to use his conscience and resign as the president of South Africa and face the impeachment [inquiry]. We can’t have a President that is doing the work of the President and the impeachment [inquiry]. He must focus on one.”
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The EFF leader said stepping aside would allow Ramaphosa to concentrate fully on responding to the allegations arising from the Phala Phala controversy.
