EFF

Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have announced a march to the Constitutional Court on 28 November 2025, calling for the immediate release of a long-awaited judgment in the Phala Phala case.

This move comes amid growing frustration over what the party sees as a failure in the justice system to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable for alleged wrongdoing at his farm. The EFF argues that the delay undermines public trust in the courts and allows the president to escape scrutiny.
The march, set to start at 10:00 am from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newton, Johannesburg, and end at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in South Africa’s highest levels of government. EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo says: “In what can only be described as a delay of justice that has for too long characterised the highest court in the land, which has been under scrutiny for delayed release of judgements, the Constitutional Court which heard the review application by the EFF of Parliament’s decision on the 26th of November 2024, is yet to release its judgment almost one year later.”

Background to the Phala Phala Scandal

The Phala Phala saga began in February 2020 when thieves broke into President Ramaphosa’s game farm in Limpopo and stole around $580,000 in foreign currency hidden in furniture. Reports later suggested the amount could have been as high as $4 million, raising questions about the source of the cash and why it was not stored in a bank. The president has maintained that the money came from a legitimate sale of buffalo to a Sudanese businessman, but critics claim it points to possible money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption.
In June 2022, a criminal case was opened against Ramaphosa, accusing him of involvement in corruption, bribery, kidnapping, and money laundering linked to the incident. Allegations also emerged that members of the president’s protection unit tracked down the suspects, assaulted them, and paid them off to keep quiet, without reporting the matter through official channels. These claims painted a picture of a cover-up, with some reports detailing how a domestic worker at the farm was allegedly tortured during interrogations.
An independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, was appointed to probe the matter. The panel’s report, released in late 2022, found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of the Constitution, including failing to report the theft and potential breaches of anti-corruption laws. It recommended that Parliament launch an impeachment inquiry under Section 89 of the Constitution, which allows for the removal of a president for serious misconduct.
However, in December 2022, Parliament – dominated by the African National Congress (ANC) majority – voted against adopting the report. The EFF and other opposition parties condemned this as an abuse of power, arguing that ANC members were instructed to protect the president rather than uphold their constitutional duties. This decision sparked widespread debate about whether party loyalty was overriding the need for accountability.

The Road to the Constitutional Court

Unhappy with Parliament’s refusal, the EFF, along with the African Transformation Movement (ATM), took the matter to the Constitutional Court in November 2024. They sought to have the decision set aside, claiming it was irrational, unconstitutional, and influenced by political pressure. During the hearing on 26 November 2024, arguments focused on whether Parliament had fulfilled its oversight role and if the rejection of the panel’s findings violated principles of transparency.
EFF supporters marched to the court that day, turning Johannesburg’s streets red with chants demanding justice. Inside the courtroom, lawyers for the EFF highlighted a “clash between political direction and constitutional obligation,” pointing to evidence that ANC MPs were directed to vote against the report despite their oath of office. The ATM echoed these concerns, urging the court to revive impeachment proceedings.
The court reserved judgment, but nearly a year later, no ruling has been handed down. This delay has fuelled suspicions of interference, especially as other developments in the case unfold. For instance, in March 2025, the EFF criticised the police minister for classifying an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on Phala Phala as “top secret,” calling it a further attempt to shield the president. Parliamentary committees have since questioned police officials on the classification, revealing that IPID investigated the matter but kept details hidden.

Recent Developments and Ongoing Investigations

The scandal has not faded. In September 2025, three suspects accused of the farm burglary went on trial in Limpopo, facing charges of housebreaking and theft. Court proceedings detailed how the group allegedly discovered the cash stuffed in couches and mattresses, adding fuel to questions about why such large sums were kept unsecured. The trial has brought fresh attention to the president’s handling of the incident, with witnesses describing a chaotic aftermath involving private security teams.
In October 2024, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority announced it would not charge Ramaphosa, citing a “comprehensive investigation” that found insufficient evidence. However, this decision did not end the controversy. Opposition parties, including the EFF, argued it ignored the panel’s findings and overlooked allegations of kidnapping and assault by the president’s team.
By October 2025, MPs in an ad hoc committee grilled the national police commissioner on corruption within the justice system, including the Phala Phala probe. EFF leaders, such as Julius Malema, pressed for declassification of documents, asserting that clauses in the committee’s terms allowed scrutiny of such cases. Malema questioned whether the minister could instruct officials to withhold information, exposing what the party calls a pattern of protection for high-profile figures.
Rumours swirled in November 2025 that Ramaphosa might resign after the G20 summit, amid pressure from the scandal and other political challenges. His advisor denied these claims, but they underscore the lasting impact of Phala Phala on his presidency. Meanwhile, the EFF has kept the issue alive through pickets, parliamentary debates, and public statements, framing it as a fight against elite impunity.

Details of the Upcoming March

The EFF’s planned march on 28 November 2025 aims to pressure the Constitutional Court into releasing the judgment without further delay. Starting at Mary Fitzgerald Square on Lilian Ngoyi Street in Newton, participants will proceed to the Constitutional Court on Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein. The event is part of the party’s broader “Year of the Picket Lines” campaign, emphasising grassroots action for economic freedom and accountability.
Organisers expect a strong turnout, building on previous demonstrations like the 2024 march during the court hearing. EFF leaders have called on supporters to join peacefully, wearing red to symbolise their commitment. The party warns that the delay gives the impression the president is above the law, eroding faith in democratic institutions.
Thambo further criticised the court’s failure to provide certainty, stating it allows suspicions of a captured judiciary to grow. He linked the withholding of the judgment to broader concerns about law enforcement agencies and their handling of high-profile cases.

🔴Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 119 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Jacob Zuma Welcomes Tony Yengeni to MK Party as Second Deputy President in Major Leadership Shake-Up🔴

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

EFF

EFF Plans March to Constitutional Court to Demand Release of Delayed Phala Phala Judgment

EFF

Background to the Phala Phala Scandal

The Road to the Constitutional Court

Recent Developments and Ongoing Investigations

Details of the Upcoming March

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

Bejani Chauke Quashes Rumours of President Ramaphosa’s Resignation After G20 Summit

Two Senior Kenyan Sports Officials Arrested in KSh 3.8 Billion Embezzlement Scandal

Related Articles

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply