{
  "id": 5135981,
  "title": "Ramaphosa’s Section 89 Report challenge has no merit: ATM’s lawyer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/ramaphosas-section-89-report-challenge-has-no-merit-atms-lawyer",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:00:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/ramaphosas-section-89-report-challenge-has-no-merit-atms-lawyer/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Advocate Anton Katz SC, representing the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has argued before the Western Cape High Court that President Cyril Ramaphosa's application to set aside the Section 89 Independent Panel Report lacks merit. The report concluded that there is prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have committed a serious violation of his oath of office related to theft at his Phala Phala farm. ATM members gathered at the Cape Town High Court alongside the legal team, emphasizing that no individual is above the law. The ATM is among the respondents in this matter. Katz explained that the review is flawed from start to finish and should be dismissed. Firstly, it is clearly prejudiced in every aspect, and secondly, the report's findings are correct. The ATM anticipates presenting evidence demonstrating that all criticisms of the report are without merit, with the court being informed of this during the upcoming proceedings.",
  "summary": "A report found there is a prima facie evidence that a serious violation may have been committed",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Did Ramaphosa act in bad faith? Lawyer questions Phala Phala panel report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/did-ramaphosa-act-in-bad-faith-lawyer-questions-phala-phala-panel",
        "published": "2026-09-02T11:23:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "‘Political war’: Ramaphosa lawyer attacks Phala Phala impeachment process",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/political-war-ramaphosa-lawyer-attacks-phala-phala-impeachment-process",
        "published": "2026-09-02T11:33:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Ramaphosa’s lawyer describes Impeachment Committee as political game",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/ramaphosas-lawyer-describes-impeachment-committee-as-political-game",
        "published": "2026-09-02T13:43:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}