For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Reza Creamer.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa challenges panel report on Phala Phala scandal in court; ANC condemns anti-immigrant vigilantism, but validates South African frustrations over unlawful migration; And, Senegal’s parliament elects ousted prime minister as speaker

Ramaphosa challenges panel report on Phala Phala scandal in court

President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed a legal challenge against a panel report that found he may have committed misconduct in a scandal in which bundles of cash were stolen from a sofa on his farm.

Ramaphosa wants the 2022 finding that he may have violated the constitution set aside, arguing that the report was based on hearsay evidence and the panel misunderstood its mandate.

Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ramaphosa, in office since 2018, has always denied wrongdoing in the scandal, dubbed "Farmgate" by local media.

The theft raised questions about how Ramaphosa initially acquired the $580 000 in cash that he said had been stolen from his farm in 2020, whether it was properly declared, and why it was stashed in furniture rather than deposited in a bank.

Ramaphosa said the money was proceeds from the sale of buffaloes, and a central bank investigation found he had not contravened exchange control regulations.

ANC condemns anti-immigrant vigilantism, but validates South African frustrations over unlawful migration

The African National Congress has drawn a firm line against vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals, warning that acts of intimidation violate South Africa's strict new hate crime laws.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg today, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula condemned recent anti-immigrant vigilantism.

He made it clear that those engaging in mob justice or harassment will face prosecution, adding that the party fully backs the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority in enforcing the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and the Hate Speech Act.

He warned that vigilante behaviour threatens national stability and risks turning South Africa into a lawless State.

Despite the strong warning against lawlessness, the ANC acknowledged that the core frustrations driving public protests are largely legitimate. The party conceded that unlawful immigration has placed immense strain on local communities, fuelling genuine socio-economic pressures.

And, Senegal’s parliament elects ousted prime minister as speaker

Senegal's parliament elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko as speaker today, a move that could give him a powerful platform to challenge President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Faye dismissed Sonko on Friday and dissolved the cabinet, ending months of speculation about a growing rift between the two over how to handle the country's debt crisis.

The move has intensified uncertainty over how the government would repay its loans after it discovered billions in unreported debt.

Lawmakers rebelled by reinstating Sonko as a member and voting to elect him as speaker with 132 votes in favour.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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