ANC Veterans’ League President Snuki Zikalala has firmly opposed growing calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment or resignation, stating there is no basis for either following the Constitutional Court judgment.
Zikalala’s remarks come after South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary Solly Mapaila urged urgent action on possible impeachment proceedings. Zikalala maintained that the court ruling addressed Parliament’s constitutional failures rather than any wrongdoing by the President.
“The judgment is about Parliament’s constitutional failure and not the president’s conduct,” Zikalala said. He emphasised that the court did not find Ramaphosa guilty of committing a crime, violating the Constitution, or state that he must be impeached or resign. Instead, the matter was referred back to Parliament for discussion, without directing any impeachment process.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that the President has taken note of the ruling and remains committed to upholding the Constitution, respecting the judiciary, and reinforcing the principle that no individual is above the law. Magwenya added that all allegations are subject to due process, and that Ramaphosa has indicated he would step aside if criminally charged by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to allow a fair process.
Zikalala questioned the push from alliance partners, describing it as “hysteria” and “excitement” without foundation. “I don’t know where Solly gets this from but in any case he’s got his own personal agenda,” he said, while stressing that the ANC would not engage in insults and would allow Parliament to process the judgment in South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
On the Phala Phala matter, Zikalala noted that the President’s manager had been handling the entity, with Ramaphosa not directly involved as he was occupied with running the country. He called for thorough and unbiased investigations by law enforcement agencies to determine any further action, and said the ANC was not prejudging the President or Parliament’s response.
Zikalala challenged Mapaila’s concerns about state assets being sold. “I don’t know which state assets have been sold. Definitely, if you can give us proof… let him put those arguments on the table,” he said, urging evidence-based claims rather than hearsay and noting that anyone with proof could take the matter to court.
Regarding alliance dynamics, Zikalala revealed that the Veterans’ League had met with the SACP for nearly three hours, urging them to remain within the alliance. He noted the SACP’s conference decision to contest elections independently but confirmed that the ANC constitution prohibits alliance members from campaigning against the ANC, and that no members of the Communist Party are being purged.
Zikalala dismissed speculation about Ramaphosa resigning, stating the President has not been found wanting by any process. He pointed out that stepping aside would only be appropriate if Ramaphosa were criminally charged, per ANC processes, and highlighted risks of instability ahead of local government elections. He confirmed the President has never refused to account before any properly constituted body, including a potential impeachment committee or NPA investigations.
The matter now returns to a new Parliament operating under the Government of National Unity (GNU) framework with multiple parties. Zikalala said the focus should be on whether there are grounds for impeachment based on evidence and truth, not numbers or political maneuvering. “No one should hide away from the truth,” he added.
Zikalala reiterated that due process must be followed, with Parliament addressing the referral from the Constitutional Court and law enforcement agencies conducting their work.