By Selinda Phenyo
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has vowed to lead mass protests in response to the handling of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Farm scandal.
Speaking at the Gauteng Provincial Assembly on Sunday, 24 November 2024, Malema accused Ramaphosa of corruption and warned against compromising South Africa’s future by tolerating what he termed the president’s “unaccountability.” His fiery address also targeted former President Jacob Zuma and the alleged infiltration of the EFF by individuals aligned with Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Introduction: EFF Leader Sets Tone for December Assembly
Addressing delegates ahead of the EFF’s 3rd National People’s Assembly (NPA), scheduled for 12 to 15 December, Malema called for a renewed commitment to safeguarding the party’s integrity. He described the Phala Phala controversy as a test of the nation’s resolve to hold its leaders accountable. “We were not misled about the corruption of Jacob Zuma. We were not misled about the corruption of Cyril Ramaphosa,” Malema declared, linking the two ANC leaders in his critique.
The Phala Phala farm saga, involving the theft of undeclared foreign currency, has haunted Ramaphosa since 2022. Despite an independent panel’s findings of a prima facie case against the president, Parliament voted against establishing an impeachment committee. This decision, upheld by ANC MPs, remains a focal point of the EFF’s legal and political challenges.
Malema: “Phala Phala Represents a Betrayal of South Africa”
Malema’s speech positioned the Phala Phala scandal as emblematic of broader issues within the ANC-led government. He accused Ramaphosa of exploiting his position to evade accountability and criticised ANC MPs for what he termed “blind loyalty” to their party leader. “The ANC majority in Parliament has failed the Constitution by shielding Ramaphosa,” he stated.
The EFF, alongside the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has escalated the matter to the Constitutional Court, seeking to have Parliament’s decision overturned. According to the EFF, Ramaphosa’s actions violate the principles of transparency and accountability enshrined in the Constitution. Malema argued that the case underscores the systemic issues within the ANC, which prioritises political survival over ethical governance.
Zuma, Infiltration, and the MK Party
Malema’s address also criticised Jacob Zuma’s recent call for political parties to unite under the MK Party to form a black liberation front. He accused Zuma of using the MK Party to destabilise the EFF, alleging that prominent figures like Floyd Shivambu, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and Jimmy Manyi had been recruited to undermine the red berets. “Zuma is corrupt! We are not going to sell the future generation for the dreams of an 82-year-old man who is corrupt to the core,” Malema proclaimed.
The EFF leader also described the resignation of high-ranking members, such as Shivambu, as part of a broader strategy to infiltrate and weaken the organisation. “Infiltration manifests itself in different ways, starting at the level of ideas, where principles are sacrificed at the altar of self-interest,” he said. Malema warned delegates to remain vigilant against such tactics, emphasising the importance of revolutionary discipline and ideological consistency.
Phala Phala: A Timeline of Controversy
The Phala Phala scandal erupted in June 2022, when former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser revealed that $580,000 (approximately R8.8 million) in undeclared foreign currency had been stolen from Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm in February 2020. The president was accused of failing to report the theft to authorities, raising questions about potential money laundering and the misuse of state resources.
In November 2022, an independent panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer. However, in December 2022, Parliament voted against proceeding with an impeachment inquiry, with ANC MPs blocking the motion. The EFF and ATM have since challenged this decision in the Constitutional Court, arguing that it undermines democratic accountability.
The EFF’s Legal Battle
The EFF’s application to the Constitutional Court seeks to overturn Parliament’s decision and compel the National Assembly to reconsider the Ngcobo panel’s findings. The party has also called for amendments to impeachment rules to ensure that prima facie cases automatically lead to full investigations.
“Parliament, through its decision, allowed Ramaphosa to remain as president despite serious allegations against him. This is an ongoing wrong that threatens the credibility of our democracy,” the EFF stated in its court papers. The ATM, which has joined the case as a co-applicant, argued that ANC MPs acted as a “rubberstamp” for the president, ignoring their constitutional duty to uphold accountability.
Ramaphosa, however, has dismissed the EFF’s application as “res judicata,” arguing that the Constitutional Court had previously rejected a similar case. He maintains that Parliament acted within its powers and that the impeachment process is subject to political discretion.
Malema’s Call to Action
Malema has vowed to mobilise mass protests to pressure Parliament and the judiciary to hold Ramaphosa accountable. He announced plans for a nationwide demonstration on Tuesday, coinciding with the Constitutional Court hearing on the Phala Phala case. “We will not allow corruption to define the future of our children. The streets are the only place where the people can reclaim their power,” Malema said.
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