Ramaphosa to respond as budget debate dominated by Phala Phala row

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to respond in Parliament after MPs used the Presidency’s budget debate to intensify criticism over the Phala Phala scandal.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to respond on Wednesday afternoon to the debate on the Presidency’s budget vote, during which MPs heavily criticised him over the Phala Phala scandal, with some saying he still owes the public answers.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ramaphosa delivered the Presidency’s Budget Vote in the National Assembly.

Among other things, he said the government will invest R1 trillion over the next three years to drive economic growth and create jobs.

This comes as South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.4% in the previous quarter.