Organised labour has joined calls for Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, as the Phala Phala scandal returns to haunt South Africa's president and test the stability of the Government of National Unity.
Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), told TimesLIVE that while respecting the president's constitutional right to challenge legal findings, "the correct political route should have been for the president to resign."
The controversy stems from a 2020 theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's game farm in Limpopo. An independent panel found prima facie evidence suggesting potential constitutional violations and misconduct. Rather than resign, Ramaphosa announced in a televised address that he would pursue judicial review, citing flaws in the panel report.
For Vavi, the allegations "seriously compromise his moral and political standing." Saftu contends that a president facing such serious charges "cannot credibly lead the fight against corruption"—a pointed reference to Ramaphosa's own anti-corruption rhetoric following the state capture years under Jacob Zuma.
The political calculus is complex. Ramaphosa leads a Government of National Unity formed after the 2024 elections saw the ANC lose its outright majority for the first time since 1994. The coalition includes the Democratic Alliance, making presidential stability a concern across party lines—but also creating new accountability dynamics.
Reactions reflect this complexity. Cosatu, traditionally aligned with the ANC's Tripartite Alliance, emphasized respecting judicial independence and the president's right to presumption of innocence—a notably cautious position that avoids endorsing either resignation or retention.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, DA leader in Cape Town, called for expedited legal proceedings to avoid delaying parliament's impeachment work—threading a needle between supporting the GNU partner and maintaining democratic accountability standards.
The Constitutional Court's involvement adds weight. The court set aside parliament's 2022 decision blocking the impeachment process, deeming it unconstitutional. Parliament will now proceed with establishing an impeachment committee, forcing the ANC and its GNU partners to navigate politically treacherous waters.
In South Africa, as across post-conflict societies, the journey from apartheid to true equality requires generations—and constant vigilance. The Phala Phala matter tests whether post-Zuma accountability standards apply universally or only to defeated leaders.
Ramaphosa came to power in 2018 promising a "new dawn" after Zuma's state capture scandals. The Zondo Commission exposed systematic corruption, parliamentary oversight failed repeatedly, and institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority were compromised. Ramaphosa's reformist image helped the ANC stabilize, if not fully recover.
Now the question is whether those same oversight mechanisms—independent panels, Constitutional Court review, parliamentary impeachment processes—will function when the accused is not a politically weakened predecessor but a sitting president leading a fragile coalition.
The foreign currency aspect raises particular questions. Where did it come from? Why was it stored at a private farm? Were proper channels followed? These are not merely technical violations but questions about transparency at the highest level.
Vavi's call for resignation reflects broader frustration with elite impunity. Labour has watched as promises of post-apartheid prosperity remained unfulfilled for millions, while corruption scandals involve figures across the political spectrum.
The GNU adds a layer: if Ramaphosa falls, what happens to the coalition? Does the DA continue supporting an ANC-led government? Does the EFF see an opening? Political stability, already fragile, could fracture further.
Yet stability cannot come at the cost of accountability. South Africa has vibrant civil society, independent media, and constitutional mechanisms designed precisely for moments like this. The question is whether political leaders—across parties—will prioritize institutional integrity over coalition convenience.
Parliament's impeachment committee will now investigate. The process will be public, messy, and politically charged. That is democracy functioning, not failing—even when the outcome remains uncertain.
