By Donald Kimberly l May 12, 2026
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected growing calls for his resignation amid renewed political pressure over the controversial Phala Phala scandal, declaring that he will challenge a parliamentary panel report in court rather than step down from office.
In a nationally televised address on Monday evening, Ramaphosa insisted that the allegations against him were based on what he described as flawed findings and “hearsay allegations,” maintaining that no evidence had been presented proving he violated the South African Constitution or committed serious misconduct.
The latest political crisis follows a landmark ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court, which ordered Parliament to revisit impeachment proceedings linked to the 2020 theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo Province. The scandal, widely referred to as “Farmgate,” erupted after reports emerged that large sums of cash hidden inside furniture at the farm were stolen, raising questions about the origin of the money and whether the theft was properly reported to authorities.
Although Ramaphosa acknowledged that money was stolen from the farm, he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. The President has argued that the funds came from the sale of buffalo and that opposition parties have politicized the matter to destabilize his administration.
The Constitutional Court’s decision overturned Parliament’s earlier refusal to pursue impeachment proceedings in 2022, ruling that lawmakers acted unlawfully when they halted the process. As a result, Parliament is now expected to establish an impeachment committee that could determine whether formal removal proceedings should move forward.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ramaphosa made it clear that he has no intention of resigning.
“I will not resign,” the South African leader declared during his address, arguing that resigning would amount to validating what he called a deeply flawed panel report.
The President further revealed that his legal team had advised him to seek a judicial review of the parliamentary panel’s findings, claiming the report contained “grave flaws” and significant legal errors. According to Ramaphosa, challenging the report in court is necessary to ensure constitutional correctness and fairness before any impeachment process proceeds.
Opposition parties in South Africa have intensified calls for Ramaphosa’s removal, arguing that the scandal has severely damaged public trust in his anti-corruption image. The controversy has also created tensions within the ruling African National Congress, especially after the party lost its parliamentary majority during the 2024 general elections and was forced into a coalition arrangement.
Political analysts believe Ramaphosa’s legal challenge could significantly delay impeachment proceedings and buy valuable time for the ANC to manage internal divisions and coalition politics. However, the renewed inquiry threatens to become one of the most serious constitutional confrontations in post-apartheid South Africa.
Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 on promises of reform and anti-corruption, said he remains committed to completing his mandate and defending the rule of law.
“There is still so much to be done,” the President said, reaffirming his commitment to continue serving the South African people despite the growing political storm surrounding his administration.