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The Democratic Alliance (DA), a Government of National Unity (GNU) partner, says it is a party that upholds the rule of law and is in favour of leaders being held to account no matter how high up they rank. The party says its vote will be swayed by the evidence brought before the impeachment committee.
The Constitutional Court has on Friday, 8 May 2026 ruled that the vote by parliament on the Phala Phala matter was invalid and inconsistent with the Constitution and that there is prema facie evidence for President Cyril Ramaphosa to answer for.
The judgement by the apex court has brought about questions on the stance of the DA as they are partners with the ANC in the GNU. However, the DA was swift in stating their position regarding the judgment and has drawn a distinction between themselves and the ANC, positioning the DA as a party that is ethical and different in nature to that of the ANC.
The newly elected DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the DA notes today’s very serious judgment of the Constitutional Court in the Phala Phala / Section 89 matter. He said in a statement the DA respects the Constitutional Court, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
“The Court has now made clear that Parliament must correct its rules, and that the Section 89 report must proceed to an impeachment committee,” he said.
“This is a grave moment for Parliament, for the Presidency, and for South Africa’s constitutional democracy. The DA will participate fully and constructively in the impeachment committee.
We will be guided by the facts, by the evidence placed before the committee, and by our constitutional duty. We will not prejudge the outcome. But nor will we allow any person, no matter how high their office, to be placed above accountability.
South Africa’s democracy rests on the simple principle that public office is a public trust. Those who hold the highest offices in the land must be held to the highest standards of honesty, transparency and accountability,” said Hill-Lewis.
The DA Leader says the DA is a party of ethics, clean government and constitutionalism. Across South Africa, where the DA governs, they work every day to restore integrity in government, rebuild public trust, and show that public power must be used only in the public interest; which is the standard they will bring to impeachment process.
“No one should expect the DA to shield wrongdoing. We will never be party to protecting misconduct, covering up corruption, or weakening accountability for political convenience. The impeachment committee must now do its work properly, rationally, fairly and constitutionally. The President must have the opportunity to account fully.
Parliament must have the opportunity to establish the facts. And the South African people must have confidence that their institutions are acting without fear, favour or prejudice. This judgment has implications beyond any one President. It will shape how Parliament holds all future presidents accountable. That is why the DA will approach this process with the seriousness, discipline and constitutional responsibility it demands.
This judgment also draws a clear line between the DA and the ANC. For too long, the ANC has presided over a political culture in which accountability is delayed, diluted or avoided when it becomes inconvenient. The DA stands for a different kind of politics in which the Constitution comes before party loyalty, and no leader is shielded from answering to the people.
The DA’s position remains consistent, that accountability, constitutionalism and the rule of law must always prevail,” he concluded.
