Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted and welcomes the Constitutional Court judgment in the matter between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Speaker of the National Assembly. The judgment, delivered as South Africa marks 30 years of its democratic Constitution, reaffirms the principles of accountability, transparency, constitutional oversight and the importance of institutional checks and balances within our constitutional democracy.

The ANC notes that the Constitutional Court dealt specifically with the process followed by the National Assembly in relation to the Section 89 panel report and did not make any finding on the guilt or innocence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, nor did it conclude that the President violated the Constitution or committed any wrongdoing. In this regard, the matter before the Court concerned the conduct and processes of Parliament, and not the President or the ANC.

The ANC respects the judgment of the Constitutional Court, the supremacy of the Constitution and the role of Parliament in exercising its oversight responsibilities. The ANC will support the Speaker and the National Assembly in ensuring compliance with the judgment and applicable parliamentary rules. As the movement that fought for and ushered in the democratic Constitution, the ANC remains committed to defending constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the proper functioning of democratic institutions.

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