JOHANNESBURG - The review of the report into the theft of $580,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm outside Bela-Bela in 2020 is continuing in the Western Cape High Court.
Ramaphosa launched the review application after the Constitutional Court found that Parliament’s 2022 decision not to proceed with an impeachment inquiry was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The ruling paved the way for Parliament to restart the process.
But as the legal battle continues, here’s a look at how the Phala Phala saga unfolded:
9 February 2020 - Thieves break into Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm and steal foreign currency. The amount was initially reported to be about $4 million, but was later established to be approximately $580,000.
1 June 2022 - Former State Security Agency director-general and former Correctional Services commissioner Arthur Fraser lays a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa at the Rosebank Police Station, accusing him of money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping. Fraser mistakenly says the burglary happened on 9 February 2022. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya later confirms the incident took place two years earlier.
3 June 2022 - Then-Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen says the party will approach the South African Reserve Bank to investigate whether the money was declared and whether it could be linked to illicit financial flows or money laundering.
READ: Ramaphosa objects to Madonsela's appointment as impeachment evidence leader
7 June 2022 - UDM leader Bantu Holomisa asks Parliament to establish an inquiry by a panel of retired judges. He also calls on Ramaphosa to step aside, suggesting then-Deputy President David Mabuza take over.
10 June 2022 - Ramaphosa says he will step aside if he is charged in connection with the events surrounding the burglary. He also volunteers to appear before the ANC Integrity Commission.
14 June 2022 - ATM leader Vuyo Zungula tables a motion calling for Parliament to establish a Section 89 impeachment inquiry.
READ: Impeachment Committee drops Madonsela as evidence leader
14 September 2022 - Then-Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appoints a three-member panel to assess whether there is evidence that could justify Ramaphosa’s impeachment. The panel consists of former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, Judge Thokozile Masipa and Professor Richard Calland.
Calland is later replaced by Advocate Mahlape Sello after questions are raised about his independence.
19 October 2022 – The Section 89 panel begins hearing submissions.
30 November 2022 – The panel submits its report after receiving an extension to its original deadline.
The report finds that Ramaphosa may have committed a serious violation of sections 96(2)(a) and 96(2)(b) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. It also finds that he may have exposed himself to a situation involving a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business interests.
Ramaphosa initially considers resigning following the report but later changes his position.
13 December 2022 – MPs vote 214 to 148 against adopting the motion to initiate impeachment proceedings. Two MPs abstain.
8 May 2026 – The Constitutional Court finds that Parliament acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when it voted against initiating the impeachment process in 2022.
The judgment paves the way for Parliament to establish a new Section 89 impeachment inquiry.
11 May 2026 – Ramaphosa announces that he will seek a judicial review of the independent panel’s report.
He argues that the panel misconceived its mandate, misjudged the information before it, misinterpreted the four complaints against him, relied on hearsay evidence and failed to properly test the information presented to it.
1 June 2026 – Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana is elected chairperson of Parliament’s Impeachment Committee, defeating United African Transformation president Dr Wonderboy Mahlatsi by 19 votes to 12.
15 July 2026 – The Western Cape High Court begins hearing Ramaphosa’s urgent application to stop Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process.
24 July 2026 – The Western Cape High Court grants Ramaphosa an interdict halting public hearings linked to the impeachment process. The committee says it will continue with its work.
5 August 2026 – Parliament’s Impeachment Committee recommends Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as its evidence leader. Ramaphosa objects, arguing that Madonsela had previously advised the ANC on matters connected to the impeachment inquiry.
READ: Ramaphosa granted interdict to halt Phala Phala impeachment proceedings
1 September 2026 – The committee drops Madonsela as its evidence leader.
2 September 2026 – The Western Cape High Court begins hearing Ramaphosa’s application to review and set aside the findings of the Section 89 panel.