A recent Constitutional Court ruling concerning the controversial Phala Phala matter has ignited significant political turmoil in South Africa, leading to renewed calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation and impeachment. Political activist Carl Niehaus celebrated the decision, declaring "We Won!!!" and openly praised the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and its leader Julius Malema following the court’s judgment. The ruling specifically set aside a National Assembly vote linked to the scandal, a decision that has triggered major political reactions across the nation.

Opposition parties argue that Parliament failed in its duty to properly hold President Ramaphosa accountable. Supporters of the EFF have intensified their calls for impeachment proceedings and stronger action against the President, with images circulating online showing demands for Ramaphosa’s arrest. Meanwhile, African National Congress (ANC) leaders and allies of President Ramaphosa continue to defend him, emphasizing the importance of respecting constitutional processes. The Constitutional Court’s judgment has deepened political divisions, fueling a growing debate over President Ramaphosa's ability to withstand the mounting pressure surrounding the Phala Phala affair.

In response to the judgment, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Friday that the Presidency accepted the ruling. Magwenya stated, "President Cyril Ramaphosa respects the Constitutional Court’s judgment and reaffirms his commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law." The ruling primarily focused on Parliament’s handling of the Section 89 impeachment proceedings, which outlines the conditions under which a president can be removed from office.

The Phala Phala scandal originated from a 2022 theft at President Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo, where foreign currency was reportedly stolen. This incident prompted Parliament to appoint an independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, to investigate the matter. In November 2022, the panel released its findings, suggesting that President Ramaphosa might have questions to answer regarding possible breaches of constitutional and anti-corruption laws.

However, the National Assembly subsequently rejected the panel’s report in December 2022. The ANC, leveraging its majority, successfully blocked the impeachment inquiry, with 214 Members of Parliament voting against the motion while 148 supported it. Following this parliamentary decision, the Economic Freedom Fighters approached the Constitutional Court, arguing that Parliament had failed to hold the President accountable. The EFF sought to overturn Parliament’s decision and compel lawmakers to reconsider the matter, contending that Parliament had acted irrationally during the vote.

Throughout the investigations, President Ramaphosa has consistently defended his conduct. As Magwenya reiterated, "President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice." The spokesperson also urged South Africans to respect the court’s judgment and judicial institutions. While the Public Protector and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) had previously cleared Ramaphosa on certain aspects of the matter—with the SARB finding no exchange control violations related to the farm cash in 2023—criminal investigations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation are still ongoing. Since 2022, the EFF has persistently called for Ramaphosa to step aside, staging numerous protests in Parliament and the courts.