Court fails SA, says MK Party on Ramaphosa case
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has issued a scathing response following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of its legal challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing South Africa’s highest court of failing in its duty to uphold constitutional accountability.
In a statement released on Monday, MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela criticised the court’s decision, claiming it chose to “hide behind technicalities” instead of addressing what the party views as grave constitutional breaches by the president.
“South Africans who still believe in the sanctity of the rule of law will find this ruling deeply disturbing,” said Ndhlela. “Rather than grappling with the substantive constitutional questions we raised, the court opted to pass the matter on to the High Court, effectively evading its responsibility.”
The legal challenge centred on President Ramaphosa’s recent move to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and temporarily appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia in his stead. The MK Party contends that this action violated constitutional processes and sets a worrying precedent for executive overreach.
Ndhlela argued that the court’s refusal to intervene represents a missed opportunity to address what the MK Party describes as “a growing constitutional crisis.” He further expressed dismay at the court’s silence on whistleblowers, notably General Mkhwanazi, who the party sees as pivotal figures in the fight for a transparent and accountable government.
“We view this decision as a disservice to those risking their safety to expose wrongdoing and corruption,” said Ndhlela. “It is a blow to efforts aimed at building a safer, more just South Africa.”
In response, the MK Party has sent a formal letter of demand to President Ramaphosa, seeking clarity on several matters, including the apparent duplication in police ministerial functions and the funding of what the party labels an “unlawful Commission of Inquiry.”
The letter demands answers to 15 key questions by 8 August 2025, many of which relate to the CR17 campaign and the Phala Phala affair—both scandals that continue to dog Ramaphosa’s presidency.
Ndhlela added that the party would also be writing to the Chief Justice to request a full explanation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling, vowing to make its next legal and political steps public once all relevant information has been gathered.
The MK Party maintains that Ramaphosa’s resignation is the only ethical course of action and has committed to intensifying its campaign for his removal. It also confirmed that peaceful demonstrations would continue across the country in solidarity with whistleblowers and to highlight what it calls the erosion of democratic accountability.
“Any MP or political party that stands against our upcoming Motion of No Confidence should be ready to answer to the people of South Africa,” Ndhlela warned.
