South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) is facing one of its first major political tests as renewed scrutiny over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s role in the Phala Phala saga raises fresh questions about accountability, coalition loyalty, and the future of executive leadership.
Following the Constitutional Court’s recent ruling that Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking the Section 89 impeachment process against Ramaphosa, attention has shifted to whether parties within the GNU will push for accountability—or close ranks to protect political stability.
The judgment has revived the possibility of impeachment proceedings after the apex court found that the National Assembly’s 2022 decision to reject the findings of the independent Section 89 panel was unconstitutional. The matter has now been referred back to Parliament’s impeachment committee, placing renewed pressure on lawmakers to determine whether the president has a case to answer.
For the GNU, the issue presents a delicate balancing act.
The coalition government, formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general elections, includes parties with sharply differing views on Ramaphosa’s leadership and the broader direction of the country. While the ANC remains the dominant partner, it now relies on support from coalition allies to maintain stability and pass critical legislation.
Political analysts say this new political arrangement could make it more difficult for Ramaphosa to rely solely on party loyalty to weather the storm.
Unlike previous moments of political crisis, the ANC no longer has the parliamentary dominance to unilaterally shape outcomes. Coalition partners may demand greater transparency and accountability, particularly if public pressure around the Phala Phala matter intensifies.
At the centre of the controversy is the theft of undeclared foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, an incident that raised questions about whether the president acted appropriately and complied with legal and ethical obligations.
Although Ramaphosa has consistently denied wrongdoing and survived earlier political challenges linked to the scandal, the Constitutional Court ruling has reopened a debate many believed had been politically settled.
Now, GNU partners may be forced to choose between defending the president in the name of coalition stability or allowing parliamentary processes to proceed without interference.
Some parties within the unity government have already positioned themselves as champions of accountability, warning that the credibility of the GNU depends on its willingness to uphold constitutional principles regardless of political consequences.
Others, however, may fear that an aggressive push against Ramaphosa could destabilise an already fragile coalition and derail efforts to address urgent national challenges such as economic growth, unemployment, and service delivery failures.
The Democratic Alliance and other coalition members are expected to face increasing pressure from voters to clarify their stance on the impeachment process, particularly given their longstanding calls for stronger oversight and clean governance.
For the ANC, the situation presents both political and reputational risks. Supporting Ramaphosa too strongly could reinforce perceptions that the party prioritises political protection over accountability. But distancing itself from its own president could deepen internal divisions and weaken its standing within the GNU.
Ultimately, the impeachment process may become a defining test of whether South Africa’s Government of National Unity can function as more than a political compromise.
If the coalition is serious about restoring public trust in democratic institutions, many believe it must demonstrate that no leader—regardless of office—is above scrutiny.
As Parliament prepares to revisit the Phala Phala matter, South Africans will be watching closely to see whether the GNU chooses accountability over political convenience, and whether President Ramaphosa can withstand yet another storm threatening to define his presidency.
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