While the majority of medical facilities in the province remain operational, services are being put to the test and medical teams are working under challenging conditions. 

This is the Western Cape Health and Wellness Department’s message, as several hospitals and clinics have been closed or are operating under contingency arrangements due to weather-related impacts.  

“We are experiencing service delays at our healthcare facilities and request for patience and understanding from our communities accessing care, as our teams are working under challenging conditions, providing person-centred care, while ensuring that services remain operational,” read the department’s statement.  

All clinics in the Breede Valley and parts of the Cape Winelands have been closed, while facilities in the Overberg, West Coast, Cape Metro, Garden Route and Central Karoo are providing limited services.  

Some facilities, like the Mitchells Plain Hospital, are experiencing electricity supply issues, others, like the Caledon Hospital, have suffered infrastructure damage, and road closures have resulted in the closure of some. 

“In the West Coast District, unsafe road conditions have resulted in the temporary closure of Redelinghuys Clinic and the suspension of the Piketberg Bo‑berg mobile service.” 

The department advised that Emergency Medical Services are also under pressure, responding to a high volume of operational responses.  

It added that it is monitoring the situation and urges the public to be cautious and to delay non-essential hospital visits if travel conditions are not safe.  

“The current focus remains on emergency response and maintaining service continuity.” 

READ MORE: Provincial healthcare services remain operational amid severe weather conditions

Severe weather has battered the Western Cape over the past few days, with flooding, strong winds and widespread disruption reported across Cape Town and surrounding regions. The two cold fronts over the region were preceded by devastating flood damage over the Garden Route and its surrounds last week.

Emergency teams are responding to infrastructure damage, power outages and road incidents, while assessments in informal settlements have confirmed 1,655 dwellings affected, impacting over 5,600 people thus far. That total is set to increase. Multiple roads were flooded, and roofs were blown off buildings.

At least three fatalities have been reported in the Western Cape on Monday, 11 May, amid hazardous conditions. Several other lives have been lost elsewhere in the country over the past few days.

Authorities remain on high alert as relief efforts and damage assessments continue. All schools in the province will be closed tomorrow, 12 May.

11 May, 21h00: Weather conditions across the Western Cape are expected to ease slightly on Tuesday, 12 May, with a gradual improvement in conditions as the storm system weakens.

While rain will remain widespread, winds are forecast to be lighter overall compared to previous days, reducing some of the damaging impacts seen during the peak of the frontal system.

Most coastal and Cape Town areas, including the City, Cape Flats, Stellenbosch and surrounding Winelands, will continue to experience rain showers with temperatures between 14°C and 18°C. Although showers may still be heavy at times, wind speeds are expected to ease to moderate levels, offering some relief for recovery and clean-up operations.

Inland areas such as Ceres, Worcester, Grabouw and Paarl will remain wet, but with less intense wind conditions and more intermittent rainfall. Similar trends are expected along the West Coast, including Atlantis, Malmesbury and Clanwilliam, where rain showers persist but with calmer wind conditions.

In the Overberg and southern coastal regions, including Hermanus, Swellendam and Cape Agulhas, rain will continue, though strong gusts are expected to ease significantly compared to earlier in the week. Interior regions such as Beaufort West and Prince Albert are expected to see lighter rainfall and generally calmer conditions overall.

While Tuesday still brings wet weather across much of the province, the reduction in wind intensity marks a gradual easing of the system, providing improved conditions for ongoing recovery and response efforts.

Tuesday 12 May, 09h00: The City of Cape Town says flooding has now been reported in at least 26 informal settlements across the metro, with more than 10,700 structures affected by the severe weather.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell says an estimated 41,000 people have been impacted.

READ MORE HERE. 

Meanwhile, motorists are cautioned to drive carefully as several roadways are flooded this morning due to the persistent downpours.

11 May, 18h30: President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness over the deaths of at least 10 people linked to severe weather affecting several provinces across South Africa.

In a statement on Monday evening, the President said government authorities at the national, provincial and municipal levels would continue working with communities following the declaration of a national state of disaster.

The declaration follows widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, service disruptions and community displacement caused by heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and snowfall.

Ramaphosa thanked rescue and recovery teams, as well as civil society organisations and businesses assisting affected communities, noting that operations are being carried out under difficult weather conditions.

He said the government would continue monitoring forecasts and adapting its response as conditions evolve.

11 May, 18h30: The Cape Winelands District Municipality says its Joint Operations Centre has been activated and disaster management teams remain on high alert as severe weather continues to impact the district.

Authorities say evacuations have taken place in several areas due to rising rivers, with some residents sheltered in community halls while others are staying with family and friends.

In Stellenbosch, around 100 people were evacuated from the Three Streams area. Homes, businesses and public infrastructure have also suffered damage, including roofs blown off buildings such as the Mountain View Library in the Langeberg area.

Flooding and mudslides have forced the closure of major routes, including parts of the N1, the Huguenot Tunnel routes, Bain’s Kloof and several low-lying bridges. Officials say dams are being closely monitored, particularly a dam near Wellington that is threatening to overflow.

Mobile clinics have been suspended, some clinics closed, and widespread power outages are affecting communication in several towns. Residents are being urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and not attempt to cross flooded areas.

11 May, 18h15: The City of Cape Town says mop-up and emergency response operations are continuing across the metro as disruptive rain and damaging winds persist.

Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell says some repair work and service reinstatements are being delayed due to dangerous wind conditions, making it unsafe for teams to operate in certain areas.

Assessments in affected informal settlements are ongoing, while humanitarian partners have been activated to provide immediate relief where assessments have been completed.

The City says the impact of the frontal systems has been extensive and has thanked residents for their patience.

Officials are urging the public to report service faults via the City’s call centre or app, and to reserve emergency lines for life-threatening incidents only.

11 May, 17h50: The City of Cape Town says severe weather conditions are causing major delays in restoring electricity outages across the metro, with more than 600 service requests currently outstanding.

Officials say heavy rain, flooding and strong winds are making repair work dangerous, particularly overhead operations involving aerial platforms. Priority is being given to incidents involving downed or live power lines.

The City says teams are responding as quickly as conditions allow and has apologised for the inconvenience. Residents in Eskom-supplied areas are urged to report faults directly to Eskom.

Newlands Cricket Ground was underwater earlier today.

Big storm in Cape Town.
Newlands Cricket grounds today. pic.twitter.com/6sX6XnUZaU

— FarmerMike™ 👨‍🌾 (@mikeratcliffe) May 11, 2026

11 May, 17h20: Police in George have opened an inquest docket following the death of a 63-year-old woman after a tree reportedly fell on her in Blanco on Monday morning.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies, officers were called to a premises in Montagu Street at around 10:55, where the woman, an employee at the business, had gone to park her vehicle when the incident occurred.

She sustained multiple injuries and was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

11 May, 16h45: Due to severe weather conditions in the Western Cape, motorists are advised that the N1 Huguenot Tunnel has been closed, while Du Toitskloof Lodge Road is also closed in both directions following a mudslide.

Road users travelling on the N1 are urged to make use of the alternative route via the R43 and Nuwekloof Pass between Gouda and Tulbagh. Please expect delays and allow for additional travel time.

Motorists are to drive with extreme caution in these wet and hazardous conditions. Reduce speed, increase following distances, keep headlights on, and never attempt to cross flooded roadways.

Provincial traffic officers and emergency services remain on high alert.

11 May, 16h45: The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate says refuse collection services are being delayed due to heavy rain, flooding and strong winds affecting access, operations and staffing across the metro.

Some transfer and disposal facilities have also been disrupted, including temporary crane shutdowns and reduced-capacity drop-off sites, with at least one site closed.

Residents are asked to keep bins out daily until collected, with most delays expected to be no longer than two days.

If refuse is still not collected after three days, it should be reported to the City’s Call Centre. Contingency measures are in place, with teams working over weekends if needed to clear backlogs.

11 May, 16h00: City of Cape Town teams are on the ground clearing debris from fallen trees and removing storm-related obstructions across affected areas as part of ongoing mopping-up operations.

Roads, public spaces and critical infrastructure are being prioritised to ensure safety and restore normality as quickly as possible.

All essential services remain operational with teams continuing to respond to incidents.
We urge residents to remain cautious around fallen trees, flooded areas and damaged infrastructure and to give teams space to work safely.

11 May, 15h00: The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says assessments are underway in informal settlements affected by the adverse weather.

So far, teams have completed assessments in six areas, confirming that 1,655 dwellings sustained impacts, affecting just over 5,600 persons.

A breakdown by area:

• Qandu Qandu, Khayelitsha – 1 000 structures/4 000 persons
• Overcome Heights – 300 structures/500 persons
• Vygieskraal – 150 structures/600 persons
• Island informal settlement, Khayelitsha – 100 structures/400 persons
• Kampies, Philippi – 60 structures/100 persons
• Riemvasmaak – 45 structures/80 persons

Spokesperson Charlotte Powell says they have activated their humanitarian relief partners to provide warm meals and blankets to those affected.

Completed assessments will also be forwarded to SASSA and the National Department of Human Settlements.

The Disaster Risk Management Centre is, in the interim, liaising with other relevant City Services to see what relief can be provided to residents.

“It is also important to note that assessments are continuing in many other areas, and this total will be updated as assessments are completed.”

11 May, 14h00: Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier has announced that all schools in the province will be closed on Tuesday, 12 May, due to severe weather conditions.

The decision follows consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service, amid warnings of heavy rain and strong winds.

The closure includes all public, ordinary and special schools. More than 220 schools had already applied for closure by Monday afternoon, while some schools have also reported storm damage.

Schools are expected to reopen on Wednesday, depending on conditions.

READ MORE: All schools in Western Cape to close on Tuesday due to adverse weather

11 May, 13h50: The South African Weather Service says there is no evidence that a tornado swept through parts of Cape Town this morning, despite reports circulating on social media following storm damage in areas including Wynberg.

The Cape Town Weather Office says current weather conditions are not favourable for tornado development, and such events cannot be forecast.

Forecasters say the damage, including roofs blown off buildings, was most likely caused by the severe winds currently battering the Peninsula.

The weather office adds that strong winds moving over the Peninsula mountains can sometimes create brief swirling wind patterns, known as rotors, which may resemble a tornado, but are not sustained or classified as one.

11 May, 13h30: The City of Cape Town says electricity teams are responding to a high number of outages and storm-related faults across the metro as severe weather continues.

Officials warn that strong winds, heavy rain and flooding are damaging electricity infrastructure and may result in longer-than-usual outages.

The City says repair work can only be carried out when conditions are safe for crews.

Residents are being urged to keep phones and backup power devices charged, and to report electricity faults using only one official reporting channel to avoid duplicate service requests.

Affected areas include, but are not limited to:

• Gugulethu
• Parkwood
• Langa
• Weltevreden Valley
• Hanover Park
• Philippi
• Brooklyn
• Bergvliet
• Rondeboscch
• Glenlilly
• Vasco Estate
• Observatory
• Sybrand Park
• Pinelands
• Plumstead
• Wetton
• Bonteheuwel
• Pinati Estate
• Ottery
• Kenilworth
• Wetton
• Grassy Park
• Lotus River
• Claremont
• Portlands
• Retreat
• Soneike
• Kenridge
• Strand
• De Kuilen
• Durbanville
• Valmary Park
• Vredekloof
• Ravensmead
• Helena Heights
• Bo Kaap

Residents in Eskom-supply areas are encouraged to contact Eskom directly regarding their electricity faults.

Electricity services and damage: (please only log on one channel):

• Call Centre: 0860 103 089
• SMS: 31220 (Free SMS service doesn’t apply)
• WhatsApp: 060 018 1505

11 May, status of road incidents as at 13h15:

11 May, 13h15: Some domestic and international flights at Cape Town International Airport are experiencing delays due to severe weather conditions affecting the Western Cape.

Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines or flight status platforms for the latest updates before travelling to the airport.

11 May, 13h00: The City of Cape Town says all emergency and disaster response teams remain on high alert as severe weather continues to impact the metro.

More than 950 calls were received by the Public Emergency Communication Centre between 6 am and 9:30 this morning, with downed trees, vehicle accidents and power outages among the main incidents reported.

The City has activated its Disaster Operations Centre in Goodwood, bringing together multiple departments and emergency role players to coordinate the response.

Firefighters, law enforcement and traffic officials are assisting with road closures, clearing fallen trees and responding to emergencies across the city.

Residents are urged to stay indoors where possible and report emergencies to 021 480 7700.

11 May, 13h00: The Western Cape Government has urged residents to remain on high alert as severe weather continues to batter large parts of the province.

Authorities say falling trees, flooding and widespread electricity outages have been reported across the Cape Winelands, Overberg, West Coast and Cape Town, while at least nine trucks were blown over on the N2 in the Overberg.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre says three fatalities have been reported, although it has not yet confirmed whether they are storm-related.

Schools are being monitored for possible closures, while health services have activated contingency plans in flood-affected areas. Residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel, flooded rivers and areas with unstable trees or debris.

11 May, 12h45: Theewaterskloof Municipality says disaster management and emergency teams remain busy with clean-up operations across the region following severe weather and strong winds.

Multiple roofs, informal structures and trees have been blown over, while widespread power outages continue in towns including Caledon, Grabouw, Botrivier, Villiersdorp, Greyton and Genadendal due to Eskom faults and storm damage.

Authorities say several municipal services have been disrupted, including refuse collection, libraries and testing centres, while Caledon Hospital is also experiencing electricity problems and roof damage.

Motorists are urged to remain cautious, with traffic officials attending to fallen trees, debris and an overturned vehicle near Theewaterskloof Dam. Emergency shelters have been opened in Bereaville and Greyton for affected residents.

11 May, 12h30: More reports are coming through of severe infrastructure damage to schools.

The Western Cape Education Department says it will issue a statement later, once they have collated all the reports coming from schools.

This video is of Beaumont Primary School in Somerset West:

Weather update 11 May, 12h30:  Several severe weather warnings remain in place across the Western Cape as heavy rain, gale-force winds and dangerous sea conditions continue to batter the province.

An Orange Level 8 warning for disruptive rainfall is currently still in place for Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, parts of the Overberg, Breede Valley and Witzenberg for today into Tuesday. Forecasters warn of significant flooding of roads, bridges and settlements, mudslides and a danger to life from fast-flowing rivers.

An Orange Level 6 warning remains in effect for damaging coastal winds and waves between Lambert’s Bay and Plettenberg Bay, with hazardous conditions at sea and possible damage to coastal infrastructure expected through Tuesday.

Meanwhile, strong interior winds could cause falling trees, power outages and damage to homes across Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route and parts of the Northern Cape. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.

Latest update from the City’s Disaster Risk Management Department, 11 May, 12h00:

Flooding has been reported in the following informal settlements – Island, Makhaza and Monwabisi in Khayelitsha, Imizamo Yethu, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Phola Park, Gugulethu, Valhalla Park, Vygieskraal, Tafelsig, Delft and Kampies.

Hot meals and blankets are being distributed in these areas by the City’s humanitarian partners.

In formal areas, flooding has been reported at a day care in Mitchells Plain and the corner of Mercury and Galaxy Roads in Rocklands.

Damage to roofs has been reported in Grindal Avenue in Lavender Hill, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Marcus Garvie in Philippi, Portlands, Delft, Garden Road in Wynberg.

The Vygieskraal Canal in Belgravia has reached its capacity and is overflowing.

Among the flooded roadways that have been reported this morning include Rosmead Avenue in Wynberg, numerous roads in Mitchells Plain and Dido Valley Road in the Deep South. Rockfalls have been reported on Chapman’s Peak and Ou Kaapse Weg, in the direction of Tokai.

There have been reports of uprooted trees in areas across the metropole, from the M3 to Somerset West. In some instances, this has also affected power lines and the electricity supply.

There have been at least two instances of trees falling onto motor vehicles – one person died after a tree fell onto the vehicle they were in, in Kenilworth. In the second incident, a motorist was injured when a tree fell on their vehicle in Parow.

The prevailing weather conditions are set to be in place until tomorrow, as per the SA Weather Service.

Spokesperson Charlotte Powell says due to the conditions and the risk to the safety of staff members, some services are unable to conduct reinstatements/repairs and assessments currently.

“We also expect further impacts as the day progresses and will endeavour to provide timeous updates in this regard.”

11 May, 11h49: A woman has died after a tree fell onto a vehicle in Tennant Road in Kenilworth during severe weather in Cape Town this morning.

Local councillor Mikhail Manuel says emergency services, SAPS, Law Enforcement and City Parks teams responded quickly to the scene.

The woman who passed away was the passenger. The driver escaped without injuries but was taken to the hospital for precautionary checks.

Tennant Road between Oak Avenue and Toleni Road remains closed while police investigate and city teams work to clear debris. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area.

Meanwhile, police in Pinelands are investigating a case of culpable homicide following a fatal accident on Jan Smuts Drive this morning.

An unidentified man sustained serious head injuries and was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

Police say the circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation, and no arrests have been made.

EDIT: We have removed the reference to the nature of the Pinelands crash, as community reports have not been confirmed by officials.

11 May, 11h42: The City of Cape Town says operations at several Driving Licence Testing Centres have been disrupted today due to a combination of severe weather and network issues.

At the Gallows Hill centre, testing was delayed earlier after a tree fell in the testing yard.

The City’s Kevin Jacobs says affected centres will contact candidates directly if scheduled tests need to be rescheduled.

11 May, 10h15: City teams are currently clearing blocked stormwater drains, attending to fallen roofs and fallen trees across the metro after strong winds.

Blocked drains can lead to localised flooding, especially during periods of heavy rain. The City says teams are working to ensure water can flow freely and to reduce the risk of further disruption.

Residents are reminded that City services are available to assist:
📞 Report emergencies to 021 480 7700 or via the City’s App
📱 Log service requests via the City’s App or call 0860 103 089

A second cold front has now made landfall over Cape Town, with the City’s Disaster Operations Centre closely monitoring conditions across the metro.

Since last night, reports have included: Roofs blown off in Mitchells Plain and Hanover Park, localised flooding in informal settlements, flooded roads and blocked drains, electricity outages, and fallen trees.

Reports are coming in of several Cape Town schools sustaining damage. The WCED said it would issue communications later today that will include information on damage to schools.

This is after the decision on Sunday afternoon to only close schools in the Cape Winelands District today.

More weather-related incidents are being reported this morning as conditions continue to deteriorate across parts of the metropole.

Assessments are ongoing in affected communities. Motorists and residents are urged to use extreme caution, especially on flooded roads or near fallen trees and power lines.

Report emergencies to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700

Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign following the Constitutional Court ruling, but will proceed with taking the Section 89 panel report on Phala Phala on review.

In an address from the Union Buildings, the President said the judgment, which found National Assembly rules inconsistent with the Constitution and referred the matter back for impeachment proceedings, had created uncertainty and public debate, but that he accepts and respects the ruling.

He reiterated his commitment to the Constitution and the judiciary, saying stability is now more important than ever. Ramaphosa said he has reflected on the judgment and its implications, while maintaining that he has fully cooperated with all investigations and continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing.

The President said the 2022 Section 89 panel report contained allegations he disputes, describing them as untested and based on hearsay, and confirmed he previously disagreed with its findings. He added that although National Assembly decisions delayed earlier legal action, he still intends to pursue a formal review of the report.

Ramaphosa said proceeding with impeachment processes while the report is under review would be premature, and argued that resigning would undermine constitutional procedures and “give credence to a flawed report”.

He concluded by saying he will continue serving South Africans and will engage the legal process while remaining in office.

READ PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA’S FULL SPEECH BELOW:

My Fellow South Africans,

I would like to address you this evening on the judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court on Friday last week.

In that judgment, the Constitutional Court found that certain aspects of the National Assembly rules that govern the process for the removal of the President from office are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The judgment has given rise to much commentary, debate and speculation.

There has been much concern and uncertainty in the country over the last few days following the delivery of the Constitutional Court Judgement.

When I assumed the office of President of the Republic of South Africa, I said that it was a responsibility that I would discharge with the greatest of care.

I said that it was a responsibility that I would undertake mindful of the needs, aspirations and expectations of the people of this land.

I pledged that I would serve you, the people of South Africa.

I said that I would work with you, side by side, to build the South Africa that we all want and deserve.

It is these undertakings that compel me to address you this evening.

There have been calls from certain quarters calling on me to resign. At the same time, there have also been calls for me not to resign.

I therefore address you this evening to clearly state my position.

The matter before the Constitutional Court arose from the report of an independent panel that was appointed by the National Assembly in September 2022 in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution to conduct a preliminary inquiry into certain allegations that had been made against me.

These allegations related to a theft that took place at my farm in February 2020.

The independent panel concluded that the information that was presented to it disclosed, prima facie, that the President may have committed serious misconduct and a serious violation of the Constitution.

The Panel concluded that I, as the President, may have acted in a way that was inconsistent with my office and may have exposed myself to a situation involving a conflict between my official responsibilities and my private business.

On the 13th of December 2022, in accordance with its rules, the National Assembly voted not to refer the independent panel’s report to an impeachment committee that would consider the veracity and, where required, the seriousness of the charges contained in the motion.

The Constitutional Court has now ruled, on the basis of the flaw it found in the National Assembly rules, that the vote the National Assembly exercised on this matter in 2022 should be set aside.

The Court has accordingly ordered that the report of the independent panel be referred to the Impeachment Committee of the National Assembly.

In the judgment, the Constitutional Court declares that where the Panel recommends that a section 89 inquiry be proceeded with, it must be implemented through a referral to an Impeachment Committee, “unless and until the Report is set aside on review”.

I accept and respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

I reiterate my firm commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

Since the judgment was handed down, I have reflected on what the judgment means for our country, for the rule of law and for the office that I occupy.

I am mindful of the severe difficulties that the country is confronted with today.

I am mindful of the need for stability at this time more than any other.

At times of such uncertainty and contestation, our Constitution remains our guide.

The drafters of the Constitution provided a clear, carefully considered process to deal with allegations of serious misconduct and a serious violation of the Constitution against a President.

They foresaw that it would be necessary to provide recourse in the event that these allegations could be established, while at the same time protecting against spurious or malicious agendas.

Since a criminal complaint was laid against me in June 2022, I have consistently maintained that I have not stolen public money, committed any crime nor violated my oath of office.

From the beginning, I said that I would cooperate with all institutions that are mandated to deal with these types of matters.

I have indeed cooperated with all investigations and enquiries into the matter.

And I will continue to cooperate with all institutions that are mandated to deal with these matters.

When the independent panel submitted its report in December 2022, I said that I disagreed with its findings and the process of reasoning that led to those findings.

In my submission to the panel, I said:

The complaints against me are based on hearsay allegations. No evidence, let alone sufficient evidence, has been presented to prove that I committed any violation, let alone a serious violation of the Constitution or law, or serious misconduct as set out in the Constitution.

As a consequence, I decided then to approach our courts to take the report of the independent panel on review.

I was advised by my legal team that the panel report was capable of being reviewed by a court of law on several grounds, including the misconception of its mandate, grave errors of law and unfounded conclusions of fact.

However, the outcome of the vote of the National Assembly in 2022 stopped the process of further examination through a review of the report, resulting in the report having no practical and legal consequence.

I therefore did not proceed at that time with the review of the panel’s report as the National Assembly had taken a decision on the matter.

However, I said at the time that I reserved my right to institute review proceedings against the panel’s report should circumstances change.

The Constitutional Court judgment last week means that the report of the independent panel now has legal consequence as it now stands to be placed before the Impeachment Committee.

As the Court ruled, the independent panel’s recommendation to proceed with an impeachment inquiry must be implemented, unless and until the Report is set aside on review.

On the basis of advice from my legal team and as envisaged by the Constitutional Court when it said “unless and until the report is set aside on review”, I have therefore decided to proceed to take the independent panel’s report on review on an expeditious basis.

I do so not out of disrespect for Parliament or its processes, but to affirm the need for such findings to be correct in law and in fact, especially where Parliament’s work would be based on and informed by a report I believe is flawed.

I do so out of respect for the Constitutional Court judgment and the principles of judicial review that it reiterates and reinforces.

I do so in fulfilment of the rights, obligations and processes contained in our Constitution.

My Fellow South Africans,

While there have been calls in some circles that I should resign, nothing in the Constitutional Court judgment compels me to resign my office.

The Constitutional Court made no finding of any kind regarding my alleged conduct.

The Court made no finding on whether there was prima facie evidence of misconduct, nor if the alleged conduct, if established, justifies impeachment and the removal of the President.

Instead, the Constitutional Court judgment reinforces the principles, rights and processes underpinning our constitutional order. This explicitly includes the right to take the report of the independent panel on review.

I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign.

To do so would be to pre-empt a process defined by the Constitution.

To do so would be to give credence to a panel report that unfortunately, has grave flaws.

To do so would be to abdicate the responsibility that I assumed when I became President of the Republic.

To resign now would be to give in to those who seek to reverse the renewal of our society, the rebuilding of our institutions and the prosecution of corruption.

I fully intend to continue serving the people of South Africa and to advance their interests. There is still much work to be done.

Eight years ago, we set out on a new path for our country. Even as we set out on this new path, we knew that progress would not be achieved overnight.

We declared our firm intention to put behind us the era of diminished trust in public institutions and the diminished confidence in leaders.

Since then, we have made much progress and continue to make progress in rebuilding the credibility, integrity and capability of many of our institutions.

Stolen funds are being recovered. Alleged perpetrators are being prosecuted.

We are intensifying the fight against organised crime, kidnapping and gang violence.

We are implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and those responsible for wrongdoing against our people are being dealt with.

Through the Madlanga Commission process, we are confronting corruption and criminality in our law enforcement and security services.

As we negotiate the severe turbulence in the global economy, we are intensifying our efforts to ensure that every home in the country feels the effects of a growing economy that is creating jobs and opportunity.

Despite the immense challenges we face, I am confident and full of hope about the future of our nation.

I am confident that the people will pursue with even greater determination the path of renewal and rebuilding, of reconstruction and sustainable development.

My fellow South Africans,

Guided by the rule of law and the principle of accountability, I intend to fulfil and complete the mandate that you, the people, have given me.

I will continue to do everything within my means to advance the rebuilding of our economy, the restoration of our institutions and the renewal our society.

I will do everything in my power to strengthen the institutions that are responsible for safeguarding our democracy and upholding the rule of law so that they may never again be abused, co-opted or repurposed to serve criminal interests.

I will remain in your service and will continue to act in your interests and in the interests of our diverse and remarkable nation.

I am confident that together as a nation we will strive, we will progress and we will overcome.

May God bless South Africa and protect her people.

I thank you.