The Western Cape High Court is expected to deliver its judgment on 24 July 2026 regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to halt Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee, which was set up following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Phala Phala matter. Ramaphosa seeks to pause the committee’s work pending a review of the independent panel’s report relating to alleged misconduct tied to foreign currency theft at his farm.

Background To The Impeachment Committee

Following the May 2026 Constitutional Court decision that found the National Assembly acted irrationally by dismissing the independent panel’s findings, the court ordered Parliament to institute impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa. Parliament subsequently established the Section 89 Impeachment Committee to investigate allegations of misconduct linked to the Phala Phala scandal.

The matter was argued before a full bench of the Western Cape division over two days last week. The court reserved judgment and indicated on 16 July that its ruling would be delivered by the end of the following week.

Ongoing Committee Work Despite Pending Judgment

Despite the pending court decision, the Impeachment Committee confirmed it would continue its preparations for the Section 89 inquiry. Committee member Makashule Gana stated, “The court was expected to deliver its ruling by the end of next week, but the committee’s work would continue unless a competent court directs otherwise.”

Commenting on the significance of the judgment, Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu told SABC News that, “The judgment from the Western Cape High Court is very important in clarifying as to whether the President is within his right to approach this particular court and ask it to review certain parts of this particular judgment.” Ndevu added that clarity from the court would also allow the committee to proceed with confidence regarding its mandate.

The Western Cape High Court’s forthcoming decision is expected to clarify whether parliamentary impeachment proceedings can proceed or must be temporarily suspended. The Impeachment Committee is set to continue its work unless otherwise instructed by the court.