Opposition parties are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down following the release of the Section 89 Report, which made damning findings against the President relating to theft of money from his Phala Phala farm.

The report comes as Ramaphosa battles to keep his role as President in the African National Congress (ANC). The party will meet between December 16 and 20 to elect a new President.

On Wednesday Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo handed over the long-awaited report to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, which found that Ramaphosa could have violated the Constitution and laws.

The report highlighted that there was a serious violation of section 96(2)(a) of the Constitution, a serious violation of section 34(1) of PRECCA and there was also serious misconduct in that Ramaphosa violated section 96(2)(b) by acting in a way that is inconsistent with his office.

The report further stated that Ramaphosa violated section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution by exposing himself to a situation involving a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business.

However, the panel said it did not have powers to investigate the evidence it was presented, which it also said was incomplete.

“It is not the function of the panel to enquire into whether the president is guilty of a serious violation of the Constitution or the law, or a serious misconduct. That is the function of the Impeachment Committee, which is empowered to investigate the matter fully, including summoning persons to give evidence before it or to produce documents and hold public hearings,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighter leader Julius Malema said the report’s findings are tantamount to a betrayal of South Africa.

“It is of more concern that the panel has found that Ramaphosa deliberately had the intention to conceal the crime, by asking Namibian Policing Authorities to handle the investigations of the crime with discretion,” he said.

Malema said this showed that there were underhanded tactics, and he said the likelihood of abduction and torture, which had been alleged, gained credibility from the secretive nature of the investigation.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube said this was a defining moment for the country’s constitutional democracy and must not be taken lightly.

“The panel makes some serious findings against the president, chief among them being that he may have violated the Constitution. These are grounds for impeachment proceedings in Parliament. This is exactly why our focus must now be on the Parliamentary process,” she said.

She noted that while a vote on whether to institute impeachment proceedings against the President requires a 50% majority, the DA hopes that the ANC in Parliament will put party interests aside and abide by the constitutional obligation.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the report showed that Ramaphosa had a serious case for which to answer.

“As such Mr Ramaphosa must resign or face impeachment without further delay. South Africa cannot afford more years of another President with criminal charges to answer for at a time when our country needs ethical leadership,” said Mashaba.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa stated that there was no further need for Parliament to interrogate the matter given the recommendations of the panel. He said the balance of probabilities was sufficient that nothing more needs to be proved.

He noted that Ramaphosa would be well advised to leave his office without any further prompting, and added that South Africans cannot afford another scenario where the nation and the world is focused on misdeeds of the President.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo has received correspondence from the Presidency requesting deferment of Ramaphosa appearance before the Council, which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon, to reply to oral questions.

The chairperson has granted Ramaphosa’s  request and a new date will be determined in due course by the Council's programme committee.