Court orders Ramaphosa to explain NHI law signing

THE North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has delivered a landmark ruling regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law, finding that it is subject to judicial review.

- SINENHLANHLA MASILELA

The ruling which was handed down this week requires Ramaphosa to submit a comprehensive record of the proceedings that influenced his decision to enact the NHI Bill.

This submission must adhere to Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules of the Court and be delivered within ten calendar days from the date of the ruling.

The ruling stems from a legal challenge initiated by the Board of Health Funders (BHF) and the South African Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF). The groups raised serious questions regarding the rationality of the president's actions, particularly following widespread dissent and critical constitutional issues that surfaced during the legislative process prior to the bill's signing in May 2024.