WHY Ramaphosa’s Rejects Resignation Calls

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected calls to resign after a report said the Constitutional Court revived impeachment proceedings linked to the Phala Phala cash scandal.

The case matters because it returns a politically damaging issue to the centre of South African governance at a sensitive moment for Ramaphosa and the African National Congress. The scandal stems from the theft of foreign currency hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, an episode that has raised questions about accountability, disclosure and political trust.

In a national address, Ramaphosa said the court ruling did not require him to leave office and pledged to defend himself through constitutional processes. The Associated Press also reported that an impeachment committee is being established to reinvestigate the allegations.

The legal pressure follows a Constitutional Court judgment delivered on May 8, 2026, which found that Parliament’s earlier handling of the matter was invalid. The ruling means the impeachment process can move forward, though analysts say Ramaphosa would still likely survive a final parliamentary vote.

Politically, the timing is difficult for the ANC. The party no longer holds the parliamentary dominance it once did and faces renewed scrutiny before municipal elections expected later this year. Opposition parties are likely to use the revived process to question Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption credentials and the ANC’s record on accountability.

Still, impeachment remains a high bar. Removing a president requires significant parliamentary support, and Ramaphosa is expected to retain backing from ANC lawmakers and key coalition partners.