There have been plenty of developments on the South African politics front in 2022, from Phala Phala to failed coalitions and Bheki Cele shouting Shut UP!

The year started on an ominous note when a fire ripped through the National Assembly, resulting in the Cape Town City hall hosting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the nation address in February for the first time ever.

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu also launched an unprecedented attack on the judiciary in an op-ed published early in 2022, which was slammed by many. Chief justice Raymond Zondo called it an insult.

It would prove to be a challenging year for President Ramaphosa as former spy boss Arthur Fraser released an affidavit claiming that the President had concealed a robbery of millions of dollars at his Phala Phala game farm. It dominated his subsequent Q&A sessions in the national assembly

Former President’s also became very vocal this year as the ANC headed into it’s December conference. Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Mothlante and Jacob Zuma all had something to say about the country’s state of affairs, and particularly its leadership. Mbeki seemed to pre-empt the Phala Phala report outcome.

It is the Phala Phala shadow that still hangs over Ramaphosa as 2022 draws to a close.

After a sitting of Parliament on 13 December, the majority of ANC MP’s voted not to adopt the Section 89 independent panel report, which would have paved the way for the possible impeachment of the President.

It’s not the end of the story though, as the NPA is still investigating, and opposition parties are still demanding answers.

2023 will see political power plays intensify especially as we head to the 2024 general elections.

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