EFF Demands National Assembly Oppose Ramaphosa’s Application to Challenge Phala Phala Report

• The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have written to the National Assembly, demanding action from the Speaker, Thoko Didiza
• President Cyril Ramaphosa recently filed an application to review and set aside the report into the Phala Phala farm theft
• The EFF also insisted that all political parties should participate in appointing legal representation for the National Assembly

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have demanded that the National Assembly oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to review and set aside the report into Phala Phala.

The president formally lodged an application at the Western Cape High Court on 26 May 2026 to review the report into the theft of foreign currency from his farm in 2020.

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Cyril Ramaphosa files application to review Phala Phala report, says panel misunderstood its mandate

The Section 89 Independent Panel Report found prima facie evidence that the president may have violated his oath of office regarding the cover-up of the theft.

The National Assembly initially rejected the report in 2022, but the Constitutional Court has since ruled that this decision was unlawful and unconstitutional.

EFF wants National Assembly to oppose the application

On 27 May 2026, the Red Berets demanded that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Speaker, Thoko Didiza, oppose the President's application.

The party argued that the Independent Panel process was established in terms of the Rules of the National Assembly and was an important constitutional accountability mechanism of Parliament.

“Allowing the report to be challenged without opposition by the institution that established the process would undermine the authority, integrity and constitutional role of the National Assembly,” the party demanded.

EFF wants Parliament to consider all parties

The EFF also demanded that the process of appointing the legal representation on behalf of the National Assembly include all political parties represented in Parliament.

“It cannot be correct that only the Chief Whip of the ANC is included in such deliberations as though he carries a mandate on behalf of all political parties represented in the National Assembly,” the party stated.

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Thabo Mbeki urges ANC to distance itself from Phala Phala issue, South Africans left divided

“Accordingly, we request that you urgently convene or invite all political party leaders, or their designated representatives, to make submissions on the opposition to the President's application and on the appointment of legal representatives to act on behalf of the National Assembly,” the party’s statement continued.

You can view the whole statement below.

Other stories about the ConCourt ruling

Briefly News has covered several articles about the aftermath of the ruling, as several politicians weighed in on the judgment.

• Julius Malema welcomed the ConCourt’s ruling and suggested that Ramaphosa resign before he was impeached.
• Mahlengi Bhengu said that the African National Congress was committed to the rule of law following the ruling.
• The Democratic Alliance said that the president must be held accountable after the ConCourt’s decision.
• Gayton McKenzie insisted that the Patriotic Alliance would not vote to impeach President Ramaphosa.
• Herman Mashaba called the Phala Phala saga a serious embarrassment to the nation.

ANC backs Cyril Ramaphosa over Phala Phala decision

In another article, the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) met to discuss the Constitutional Court's recent ruling on Phala Phala.

Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa was not present at the meeting, as he was the subject of the discussions that were taking place.

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Prosecutor accuses court of violating his rights as State appeals judge's orders in Sibanyoni case

South Africans took to social media to share mixed reactions to the NEC's resolution that the party stood behind the president's decision.

Source: Briefly News