South Africa president faces call to resign after court ruling

South African opposition leader Julius Malema has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign after the Constitutional Court ruled that parliament had violated the constitution by blocking moves to impeach him in 2022. The judgement follows a legal challenge by Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and others, and could result in fresh impeachment proceedings. Ramaphosa’s office said he respects the judgement.

In 2022, an independent panel said Ramaphosa may have a case to answer after burglars stole $580,000 (£430,000) in cash, hidden in a sofa, from his rural home. The theft led to allegations that he had not accounted for where the cash had come from. The president denied wrongdoing.

Butimpeachment proceedings were blocked four years ago in a parliamentary vote. At that time Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) had a majority in parliament, but since the 2024 general election the ANC has been governing in a coalition. Following the judgement, Ramaphosa’s office said he “reaffirms his commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law”.

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The statement said the president had been “consistent in providing his full assistance” to all enquiries into the matter. “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 ANC also released a statement to similar effect, adding on X that the judgement shows “the importance of allowing institutions to function independently” within South Africa’s constitutional democracy. Speaking to reporters outside the court in Johannesburg earlier, Malema said Ramaphosa should resign and “concentrate on this impeachment process because it has got serious implications on him as an individual”.

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