Key Takeaways
- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has criticized the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) for delaying its ruling on the Phala Phala scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- Malema has accused the ConCourt of failing to uphold constitutional principles and has questioned the court’s credibility.
- The EFF is demanding the immediate release of the judgment and has called for the impeachment of President Ramaphosa.
- Malema has stated that a motion of no confidence would not be sufficient and has instead insisted that impeachment is necessary.
- The ConCourt has been accused of taking too long to finalize its judgment, with the EFF arguing that the delay is unjust and denies justice to the people.
Introduction to the Phala Phala Scandal
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has sharply criticized the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) for stalling on its ruling regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal. The party’s leaders and supporters marched through Johannesburg, heading to the ConCourt in Braamfontein to deliver a memorandum demanding the immediate release of the long-awaited Phala Phala judgment. The party’s case was heard in November 2024, but the court has yet to issue a verdict, prompting frustration from the EFF. The Phala Phala scandal involves the theft of $580,000 from Ramaphosa’s game farm in Limpopo, which was hidden in a couch.
Malema’s Criticism of the ConCourt
Malema has argued that the ConCourt is failing to uphold constitutional principles by not delivering judgments timeously. He has questioned the court’s credibility, asking how it can expect lower courts to meet deadlines when it does not meet its own. Malema has also challenged the court’s decision to hand down judgments on other cases that were heard after the Phala Phala matter. He has stated that it is no secret that the money hidden in the couch was stolen and has asked how the sofa can be safer than the safe itself. Malema’s criticism of the ConCourt is not limited to the Phala Phala scandal, as he has also accused the court of being compromised and has questioned the integrity of the judges.
Ramaphosa’s Impeachment
Malema has demanded the impeachment of President Ramaphosa, arguing that a motion of no confidence would not be sufficient. He has stated that Ramaphosa would still retain presidential benefits even if a motion of no confidence is passed, and has insisted that impeachment is necessary. Malema has also called for the arrest of outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, accusing her of obstructing justice after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to pursue charges against the president. The EFF has argued that the section 89 independent panel had found Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding the February 2020 burglary, despite Parliament rejecting the report that could have initiated impeachment proceedings.
The EFF’s March and Memorandum
The EFF’s march and memorandum to the ConCourt were a culmination of the party’s frustration with the delay in the Phala Phala judgment. The party’s leaders and supporters marched through Johannesburg, demanding that the ConCourt release the judgment immediately. The memorandum highlighted that the ConCourt has taken one full year without handing down judgment, a delay that is four times longer than the three-month period that the court expects from lower courts. The EFF has argued that the delay is unjust and denies justice to the people. The party has also accused the ConCourt of being compromised and has questioned the integrity of the judges.
The ConCourt’s Response
The ConCourt has responded to the EFF’s criticism, with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya dismissing concerns around the delay. Maya has stated that there is "nothing sinister" about the time taken to finalize the judgment. However, the EFF has rejected this explanation, arguing that the delay is unacceptable and that the ConCourt is failing to uphold constitutional principles. The ConCourt’s response has done little to alleviate the frustration of the EFF and its supporters, who are demanding that the court release the judgment immediately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EFF’s criticism of the ConCourt and its demand for the impeachment of President Ramaphosa are a reflection of the party’s frustration with the delay in the Phala Phala judgment. The party has argued that the ConCourt is failing to uphold constitutional principles and has questioned the court’s credibility. The ConCourt’s response has done little to alleviate the frustration of the EFF and its supporters, who are demanding that the court release the judgment immediately. The Phala Phala scandal has highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in government, and the EFF’s demands for impeachment and the release of the judgment are a step towards achieving this goal.