Chief Justice promises expedited judgment on Phala Phala farm scandal amid political tensions

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has promised to expedite the delivery of the much-anticipated judgment on the Phala Phala farm matter.

This comes as the Chief Justice received widespread criticism from the EFF and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) over her failure to deliver the judgment, more than 12 months after the matter was concluded at the Constitutional Court.

On Wednesday, members of the EFF staged a picket outside the Constitutional Court, highlighting their frustration over the protracted judgment process.

This marked a significant escalation in the EFF’s protests aimed at compelling the highest court in the land to rule on the matter that has stirred considerable public debate and political controversy.

In 2025, the EFF had approached the apex court following Parliament's dismissal of a report indicating that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have breached his oath of office.

The report raised alarm over the president’s conduct regarding a 2020 theft incident, in which over $580,000 were stolen from his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.

The EFF contended that Parliament’s refusal to adopt the report, which suggested potential misconduct by the president, was irrational and unconstitutional and took the matter all the way to the apex court in 2024.

During Wednesday's media briefing, EFF leader Julius Malema revealed that his party has ramped up its political campaign regarding the contentious Phala Phala farm saga, asserting it as a leading issue for the party as it heads to the upcoming 2026 local government elections.

The party further announced plans to picket outside the Constitutional Court on the first Wednesday of each month until a verdict on the matter is delivered.

"Every month, there is going to be a protest at the Constitutional Court. This month is the picketing location, next month, it will be Tshwane, Sedibeng, and the next month, it will be Ekurhuleni. This will happen until the judgment is delivered," he asserted.

Reacting to the outcry by the EFF and the ATM, which this week wrote a joint letter to the registrar of the Constitutional Court, Acting Chief Registrar Karabo Munene stated that Maya is saddled with the matter, which will be settled as soon as it is possible.

"The matter is on the desk of the Chief Justice. The delay is regretted, and the matter is being expedited. The judgment will be delivered as soon as practically possible," Munene stated.

ATM leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula, said that he has formally requested an update from the Registrar of the Constitutional Court regarding the delay in delivering the much-anticipated judgment.

IOL has reported that Zungula, in a joint letter with the EFF, penned on February 3, raised questions concerning the institutional inefficiency exhibited by the court.

He noted that the judgment has been reserved for over a year, emphasising that it "remains of significant public interest".

"During the hearing of this matter, judgment was and remains reserved with no indication of a possible date of delivery. This matter was and still remains of public interest. Notably, a decision on this matter will have direct and immediate implications for the constitutional obligations of the president, the National Assembly, and the very future holder of the highest executive office," Zungula said in the letter.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za