The day that was: Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment issue is back, SA’s extreme weather

追加: 2026-05-13

[00:00:00]Massive blow for President Ramapoa as Palapala impeachment roars back after Concord ruling. Western Cape monitors four suspected antivirus cases. Iran attacks US warships as fragile ceasefire teeters. And the world's most famous naturalist David Atenburgh turns 100.

[00:00:19]Hello, I'm Jane Dutton.

[00:00:21]>> EWN in touch in tune and independent.

[00:00:26]Ramapaza is heading back into the Palapala storm. The constitutional court has ruled that parliament acted irrationally and unconstitutionally when it blocked the adoption of a report that found Ramapaza may have violated his oath of office over the Palopala farm scandal. That means parliament must now revive the impeachment process. The section 89 panel report released in 2022 found there may have been a case for Ramaposa to answer over the burglary at his farm and the handling of more than half a million dollars in stolen cash.

[00:01:01]But the ANC used its majority in parliament to shut the process down. Now the country's highest court has set that vote aside. It is declared that the vote of the National Assembly taken on 13th December 2022 declining to refer the reports to the of the independent panel to the to an impeachment committee as envisaged in the NA rules is inconsistent with the constitution invalid and it is set aside. Seven, the report of the independent panel is referred to the impeachment committee established in terms of the NA rules.

[00:01:36]The DA says it will not shield anyone from accountability.

[00:01:39]>> We will be guided by the facts and by the evidence placed before the committee and by our constitutional duty to the rule of law. We will not prejudge the outcome, but nor will we allow any person, no matter how high their office, to be placed above accountability.

[00:02:00]BFF leader Julius Malemma says the ruling confirms the ANC abused its parliamentary majority to protect Ramapaza over the scandal. The case was brought by the economic freedom fighters and the African transformation movement after the vote in parliament in 2022 to block a full impeachment inquiry.

[00:02:19]>> You cannot vote to protect crime. You cannot vote to protect corruption because every vote must be accompanied by rationality. The presidency has noted the judgment of the constitutional court in the case brought by the economic freedom fighters challenging the national assembly's decision with respect to section 89 proceedings against the president. President Ramaposta respects the constitutional court's judgment and reaffirms his commitment to the constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

[00:02:58]>> And it just gets worse for the president today. His visit to Zimbabwean President Emerson Minangwa's private farm is facing fresh scrutiny. The DA says it will submit parliamentary questions to determine whether state funds were used for the trip. The party also claims Ramapora continues to associate with alleged money launderers operating in South Africa. This after reports that controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wiknil Shiovayo was part of the delegation during the visit. Shiovaya is under investigation by South Africa's financial intelligence center over alleged money laundering linked to more than 800 million rand in public funds.

[00:03:38]South African taxpayers deserve to know whether they are footing the bill for the president to fratonize with those responsible for Zimbabwe's captured state.

[00:03:46]>> Several communities in the Garden Route remain cut off by flooding despite some relief from the heavy rain. George Pau and Canaland are among the hardest hit.

[00:03:56]More than 300 millimeters of rain has fallen in parts of the region in just three days. The downpours have also lifted dam levels dramatically with some now overflowing after the district hovered near day zero. Nisno remains one of the worst affected areas and has recorded the only weather related death so far. The storm caused major infrastructure damage including to power lines and cell phone towers. And news that another cold front is heading towards the Western Cape. One of four people being monitored in the Western Cape for possible antivirus exposure is showing mild symptoms including fever and a sore throat. The health department has confirmed the four suspected cases.

[00:04:38]Officials say the group was on a flight from Santelina Island where the virus may have been present. Department spokesperson Foster Muhal says international travelers who are on the same flight are being urged to come forward for screening. The Quazulu Nutell police officer killed in a deadly ambush north of Durban last week is being laid to rest today with an official SAPS funeral. Captain Lou Nell was on duty with a colleague when gunman opened fire on their vehicle. Police say the officers tried to flee under heavy gunfire, but their vehicle was forced to a stop. Uh for me on my side having worn the badge having gone through the trouble that captain has gone through I understand the pain and the anger that the members especially the members of special task force will have at this day that one criminal is able to eliminate one of our operators the highly trained member of the special task force.

[00:05:32]>> Could the ceasefire between Iran and the United States unravel? Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at three American destroyers in the Straight of Hummus. The US says none of the ships were hit and American forces struck Iranian military targets in response. Now, the Strait of Hummus is a critical global oil route and any escalation there could rattle energy markets worldwide. US President Donald Trump insists the ceasefire is still holding. Botswana is mourning the death of former President Fesus Muhai, who's died at the age of 86. high led the country from 1998 to 2008. He's widely respected for his economic leadership and his strong response to Botswana's HIV AIDS crisis and helped build Botswana's reputation as one of Africa's most stable democracies. And David Atenburgh turned 100 years old. The legendary naturalist says he's deeply moved by the flood of tributes from around the world as he reaches the milestone today. Atenburgh's extraordinary career has shaped generations of thinking around conservation, climate change, and the end of the planet. And happy birthday to you, David Atenburgh, and have a good weekend.

[00:06:43]>> EWM, in touch, in tune, and independent.