South African president seeks to stop impeachment probe over 'Farmgate' scandal
Ramaphosa wants the inquiry halted while his separate legal challenge is still before the courts, with parliament told to wait on the review case.
- On Friday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa filed an urgent application at the Western Cape High Court to block the National Assembly from commencing an impeachment inquiry, citing Rule 129M of the Rules.
- The Court revived impeachment proceedings last month, ruling that a previous parliamentary vote to stop the process was invalid, as the inquiry centers on the "Farmgate" scandal where large sums of cash were stolen.
- Ramaphosa requests the Court pause the inquiry until a separate legal challenge is resolved, seeking to set aside independent panel misconduct findings with the Western Cape High Court scheduled to hear that case in early September.
- The application names National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza and chairperson Makashule Gana as respondents, with opponents given eight days after receiving the notice of motion to file opposition and answering affidavits.
- This legal step could significantly impact the National Assembly's ability to proceed while the review application remains unresolved, as Ramaphosa, who came to power on a pledge to fight corruption, faces this challenge as his term nears its end.
17 Articles
17 Articles
South African president seeks to stop impeachment probe over ‘Farmgate’ scandal
JOHANNESBURG - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa filed an urgent court application on Friday to try to stop a parliamentary impeachment process from starting to probe allegations related to his “Farmgate” scandal, court documents showed.
Ramaphosa argues impeachment inquiry should wait for court review outcome
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken urgent legal steps to stop Parliament’s impeachment inquiry into the Phala Phala scandal. On Friday, 12 June 2026, Ramaphosa filed a notice of motion in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town, seeking an order to prevent the parliamentary impeachment committee from proceeding with its work. Review application challenges Phala Phala report The urgent interdict application comes alongside a broader legal chall…
Ramaphosa files urgent interdict to stop Parliament impeachment process
President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched an urgent court bid to halt Parliament's impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala scandal, arguing that proceeding with the inquiry could lead to irreparable harm and a constitutional crisis.
BREAKING | Ramaphosa applies for urgent interdict against parliament impeachment process
President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched an urgent court bid to stop parliament proceeding with an impeachment inquiry against him, arguing that the process should be suspended pending the outcome of a separate legal challenge.
South African president seeks to stop impeachment probe over 'Farmgate' scandal
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