Calls growing for President Ramaphosa to step down

The President is facing growing political pressure, with calls for his resignation mounting.

This follows last week’s Constitutional Court decision that prima facie evidence of alleged wrongdoing by the president in the Phala Phala scandal warrants an investigation, contrary to what the National Assembly had decided in 2022.

Since that ruling, the EFF, which had brought the case to court with the ATM party, wrote to the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza requesting that the Section 89 Impeachment Committee begin its work.

“In light of the judgment, we hereby demand that your office urgently initiate the necessary processes to refer the matter to the Section 89 Impeachment Committee of the National Assembly in compliance with the order and reasoning of the Constitutional Court,” read the party’s letter dated 8 May to Didiza.

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The EFF’s Letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Requesting the Immediate Constitution of the Impeachment Committee to Give Effect to Section 89 of the Constitution, Following Today’s Judgement. pic.twitter.com/NKlCrnKv2j
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 8, 2026

The party warned that it would take the matter back to court if there is no clear indication of what the Speaker’s next steps would be in this regard.

Meanwhile, the MK Party and ATM have both expressed their intention to file a motion of no confidence in the president.

The MK Party requested that the motion take place by secret ballot, to protect MPs, “to ensure they are able to exercise their responsibilities freely and effectively”.

“It is only appropriate that we demand his resignation and impeachment. The MK Party stands ready to debate this motion at the earliest possible opportunity,” read the party’s statement.

[MEDIA STATEMENT]: MK PARTY HAS GIVEN FORMAL NOTICE OF A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. pic.twitter.com/IfWY8rUQ6Q
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) May 9, 2026

The ATM has also noted that it has lost its confidence in the president and called on not only him but the rest of his Cabinet to resign.

“The House further resolves that the continued tenure of President Cyril Ramaphosa is incompatible with the constitutional principles of accountability, transparency and the rule of law,” read the 8 May letter by the ATM’s Vuyo Zungula to the speaker.

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We hereby give notice that the African Transformation Movement(ATM): in terms of Section 102(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, resolves that it no longer has confidence in President @CyrilRamaphosa and accordingly calls upon the… pic.twitter.com/S6uFku5rOf
— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) May 9, 2026

The Presidency said President Ramaphosa respects the court’s ruling, and “reaffirms his commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law”.

“President Ramaphosa has been consistent in providing his full assistance to the various enquiries into this matter. President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice. The President calls on all South Africans to respect the Constitutional Court judgment and all judicial institutions,” read the Presidency’s statement.