In a firm national address broadcast from the Union Buildings on Monday evening, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared he would not resign despite mounting pressure following a Constitutional Court judgment on the long-running Phala Phala farm theft matter.
“I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign,” Ramaphosa stated. “To do so would be to pre-empt a process defined by the Constitution. To do so would be to give credence to a panel report that unfortunately has grave flaws.”
The president further emphasised his commitment to duty: “To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption.” He added that he “remain[s] here and [is] not resigning.”
The Constitutional Court ruling last week overturned Parliament’s earlier decision to set aside a Section 89 independent panel report into allegations stemming from a February 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. During the incident, thieves stole large amounts of foreign currency, reportedly hidden in furniture, which the president has consistently maintained came from the legitimate sale of buffalo.
Ramaphosa announced that he would take the panel report on judicial review while respecting the court’s directive for Parliament to establish an impeachment committee to examine the matter. He stressed that the judgment did not compel his immediate resignation and reiterated his respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.
Opposition parties have reacted swiftly to the developments. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have called for Ramaphosa to step down, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has indicated it will pursue a motion of no confidence. Political analysts remain divided, with some viewing the president’s stance as a necessary defence of due process and others criticising it as prioritising personal position over accountability.
Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing in the address, insisting he had not stolen money or engaged in corrupt activities related to the incident. He framed his decision to stay in office as one of constitutional responsibility rather than defiance.
The impeachment inquiry is now expected to proceed in Parliament, potentially unfolding over the coming weeks or months.
