The Phala Phala controversy is a complex, contested, and often difficult to follow scandal that has plagued South Africa. I have been covering it since the beginning so I know how confusing it can be. But this scandal may risk President Cyril Ramaphosa’s political future and so it is important to keep track.
What began as a reported theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020 has since evolved into one of the most consequential political controversies in South Africa’s democratic history.
The saga spans a quiet burglary, an unofficial investigation, questions about the source of foreign cash, and a protracted political and legal battle. It has now culminated in a Constitutional Court ruling that has revived the prospect of impeachment.
We know that the details have been hard to track. So we’ve mapped it out, step by step, to make sense of how this story unfolded, and why it still matters.
25 December 2019
Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa allegedly visits the farm and pays US$580,000 cash for 20 buffaloes, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s version.
30 December 2019
Lodge manager Sylvester Ndlovu goes on leave and hides the money inside a sofa in the President’s private residence.
9 February 2020
A housebreaking occurs at Phala Phala. An undisclosed amount of foreign currency stolen from the sofa.
10 February 2020
General Manager Hendrik von Wielligh reports a “security breach” to Ramaphosa, who is in Addis Ababa for an African Union summit. Ramaphosa instructs General Rhoode to investigate.
February/March 2020
Head of Presidential Protection General Whally Rhoode’s team conducts an unofficial investigation at the farm, interrogating workers and suspects. No case opened, no docket registered.
March 2020
Rhoode’s team travels to Cape Town following a tip-off that suspects were there. They visit the Barons car dealership in Culemborg.
19 June 2020
South African police authorities meet Namibian police at “no man’s land” at the Ariamsvlei border post to share information about the suspects. They request the matter be handled “with discretion.”
25 June 2020
General Rhoode accompanies Presidential advisor Bejani Chauke to Namibia. Chauke meets Namibian President Geingob in Windhoek.
1 June 2022
Former intelligence boss Arthur Fraser goes public, laying criminal charges against Ramaphosa and others. The scandal breaks nationally.
15 June 2022
Fraser meets with Hawks investigators and provides a detailed second statement.
23 June 2022
Fraser submits a formal statement to the DPCI with further details about the alleged money laundering.
June 2022
The ATM submitted a motion to the Speaker of the National Assembly (Speaker) in terms of section 89 of the Constitution and rules 129A to 129Q of the Rules of the National Assembly (NA Rules), requesting the National Assembly to initiate an inquiry into the removal of the President from office for his conduct in the Phala Phala controversy.
30 August 2022
SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago writes to EFF’s Floyd Shivambu confirming the Reserve Bank’s Financial Surveillance Department is investigating the origin of the foreign currency.
14 September 2022
Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appoints the Section 89 Independent Panel, chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, with retired judge Thokozile Masipa and advocate Mahlape Sello.
29 September 2022
Ramaphosa answers questions in the National Assembly about Phala Phala, saying he reported the theft to General Rhoode “as a police official.”
19 October 2022
Speaker formally refers the motion to the panel, starting the 30-day clock.
27 October 2022
Deadline for submissions to Parliament. ATM, EFF and UDM all submit on time.
6 November 2022
Ramaphosa submits his response to the panel on time. He denies wrong doing.
14 November 2022
Panel requests a 13-day extension from the Speaker, citing the complexity of the process.
30 November 2022
Panel submits its report, finding prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa has a case to answer on all four charges.
13 December 2022
A Parliamentary vote saw the ANC use its majority to block the panel report from being adopted and the inquiry to proceed.
2023
EFF challenges the decision at the Constitutional Court.
8 May 2026
The Constitutional Court ruled that the vote was invalid and unconstitutional and the president should face impeachment proceedings.
11 May 2026
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza says an impeachment committee against the president will be set up following the Constitutional Court judgment
Political parties call for Ramaphosa’s resignation
11 May 2026
Ramaphosa says he will not resign and will challenge the panel report on judicial review at the High Court.
12 May 2026
Parties call for the impeachment process to begin while Ramaphosa finalises his application. It is unclear whether he will interdict the report and ask for the impeachment process to be delayed until his judicial review is finalised.
