South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing renewed political pressure after both the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) filed separate motions of no confidence in the National Assembly, following a Constitutional Court ruling linked to the Phala Phala matter.
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ATM became the first party to formally submit its motion, writing to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and requesting that Parliament urgently schedule a debate and conduct a secret-ballot vote under Section 102(2) of the Constitution. The provision states that if a majority of members support the motion, the president and Cabinet must resign.
ATM Parliamentary Leader Vuyo Zungula argued that the National Assembly no longer has confidence in Ramaphosa’s leadership. The motion is grounded in a Constitutional Court ruling which found that Parliament acted unlawfully in its handling of the Section 89 impeachment process related to the Phala Phala allegations.
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The court set aside the National Assembly’s December 2022 decision that blocked the establishment of an impeachment inquiry, declaring it invalid and unconstitutional. It also stressed that parliamentary rules must function as accountability mechanisms rather than procedural barriers.
ATM further referenced findings from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate report into aspects of the case, including allegations involving members of the Presidential Protection Unit. The report did not make criminal findings against Ramaphosa personally.
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MKP also filed its own motion of no confidence, arguing that Ramaphosa’s actions had damaged public trust in the presidency. The party requested that the motion be scheduled for debate and a secret-ballot vote, and cited the same Constitutional Court ruling as part of its justification.
Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing and maintained that he respects the Constitutional Court ruling while remaining committed to constitutional accountability and the rule of law.
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