Non-profit organisation Corruption Watch is urging Parliament to act swiftly to address the Phala Phala matter, which has set off uncertainty around Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidency.

The long-awaited report of the Section 89 independent panel, led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, made damning findings against Ramaphosa, who is now considering resignation ahead of the African National Congress’s fifty-fifth National Elective Conference.

Corruption Watch said on Friday that the report showed that the President had a case to answer for relating to alleged contraventions of the Constitution and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

The organisation believes the report will hamper Ramaphosa’s role as President of the country, as well as damage public trust in his anti-corruption agenda.

“Corruption Watch therefore urges Parliament and other institutions with oversight over democratic processes, which are in possession of evidence, to address the matter swiftly and as a matter of priority, as part of their commitment to the principle of accountability. There is no room for unnecessary delays by either implicated parties or regulatory and law enforcement bodies, that could potentially derail the process and disrupt the momentum,” it said.

Corruption Watch executive director Karam Singh pointed out that South Africans deserved answers as they were currently enduring the effects of corruption on the economy, service delivery and failing State institutions.

He said the democratic process should be allowed to unfold and if the President decided to resign it should be in the name of accountability.

He pointed out that the 2018 decision of the National Assembly – to establish and adopt rules to give effect to Section 89 of the Constitution on steps for the removal of the President, and guidelines for impeachment proceedings – was a milestone for safeguarding the country’s democracy.

“We are at a critical point in our democracy, where the rule of law that holds all people accountable must be seen to be in effect. We do not have a stellar record of members of the executive being held to account for their actions, and there is far too much evidence of people acting with impunity. It is supremely important that the President, who holds the highest office in the land, is held to the same standards and processes as everyone else,” Singh said.