South Africa opposition leader Malema demands Ramaphosa impeachment after court ruling
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has called for immediate impeachment proceedings against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after the Constitutional Court revived the Phala Phala case.
Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg on Friday, Malema said Parliament must act without delay following the ruling, which ordered that the matter be referred to an impeachment committee.
“The impeachment process must kick in with immediate effect, and that’s what we’re going to demand,” Malema said. “We cannot wait any longer; we’ve been waiting for too long now.”
The Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally when it rejected a 2022 independent panel report that found Ramaphosa may have a case to answer over the theft of $580,000 from his Phala Phala farm. The report will now be referred to an impeachment committee for further investigation.
Malema said the EFF’s Chief Whip would formally write to the Speaker of the National Assembly requesting the establishment of the committee.
He also criticised other opposition parties, accusing them of abandoning earlier calls for accountability in exchange for political benefits.
Ramaphosa’s office said the president would comply with the ruling and reaffirmed his respect for judicial independence, saying no one is above the law. Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing in the matter.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
