Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected calls to resign following the Constitutional Court-linked scrutiny over the Phala Phala scandal, insisting he will remain in office while pursuing legal review of a Section 89 panel report.
In a national address on May 11, Ramaphosa said he respects the court process but will not step down. “I will not resign,” he said, adding that resigning would validate what he described as a flawed report and undermine governance.
He said he has done nothing wrong, denied wrongdoing in the handling of money linked to the case, and vowed to continue his duties while Parliament considers possible impeachment proceedings.
Ramaphosa also confirmed he will challenge the independent panel’s findings in court, arguing that due process must be followed. “I have not stolen any money,” he said.
The announcement triggered sharp political reactions. Opposition parties accused him of defiance and called for accountability, while the ruling African National Congress backed his decision to remain in office during legal proceedings.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said Ramaphosa has a constitutional right to seek judicial review but maintained that resignation would have been the appropriate political step.
SAFTU argued that the allegations “seriously compromise his moral and political standing” and weaken public trust in the presidency, warning that prolonged legal action could delay parliamentary accountability.
The federation also said the decision to challenge the report may slow down the impeachment process, deepening uncertainty at a time when South Africa needs stable leadership and decisive action against corruption.
