Big legal bill for body that fought Ramaphosa over Phala Phala

IN 2022, at the start of the Phala Phala scandal, an organisation that called itself The Society for the Protection of our Constitution (applicant), launched court proceedings for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be held accountable, but the organisation, which meanwhile withdrew the application, is now facing the legal bill.

- ZELDA VENTER

The matter was initially brought before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in 2022 in which the applicant cited the president and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). It, amongst others, wanted the court to compel the NPA to prosecute the president in relation to Phala Phala.

Ramaphosa has meanwhile been cleared by the ANC's Integrity Commission while the NPA declined to pursue criminal charges on his involvement in the matter.

The Phala Phala scandal revolved around the 2020 theft of a large sum of foreign currency hidden in couches ($580 000 or R8.7 million at the time) at Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing.