President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court to interdict Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment committee from continuing its work. The President is seeking to halt the inquiry until his ongoing review application concerning the 2022 independent panel’s report is finalised.
ANC Support And Parliamentary Response
The African National Congress (ANC) has officially stated its support for the President’s legal move, characterising it as the exercise of his constitutional rights. Speaking on behalf of the party, acting spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli stated that the ANC supports the decision to challenge the report and the subsequent request to pause proceedings while the legal review is underway.
The ANC supports him in his decision to exercise his rights to take the matter on review. He’s subsequently also then decided that the processes ought to be halted while the matter is taken on review, which is also a fair you know legal procedure that is taking place.
In response to the application, Parliament’s impeachment committee has formally resolved to oppose the interdict. The committee, tasked with probing the “Phala Phala” scandal, intends to continue its mandate despite the President’s application.
Legal Context And The Path Ahead
The current impasse follows a Constitutional Court ruling on 8 May 2026, which declared that the previous termination of impeachment proceedings against the President was unconstitutional. The High Court is now required to weigh the necessity of the impeachment committee’s ongoing work against the President’s pending review application.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has informed the court that she will not oppose the President’s interdict application, opting instead to file an explanatory affidavit. The President, addressing the legal proceedings, emphasised the importance of respecting constitutional processes, stating that everyone should respect those who exercise their rights according to the Constitution.
The Speaker has acted in the way that she believes she should act, and I respect that. And similarly, everybody should respect those who exercise their rights in terms of the Constitution and who follow the precepts of our Constitution.
The Western Cape High Court is expected to set a date for the hearing on the interdict application, which will determine whether the committee’s work must be suspended pending the wider review.