On 7 July 2026, ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont announced that the party has formally approached the Information Regulator to secure access to critical evidence related to the Phala Phala scandal. This move follows the party's unsuccessful attempts to obtain documents through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). 

Questioning the financial discrepancies

In early June, ActionSA submitted a PAIA application to the Hawks seeking an affidavit signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the theft at his Phala Phala game farm. Additionally, the party requested financial records belonging to Imanuwela David, the alleged mastermind of the heist.

These requests were prompted by National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) evidence presented in court, which revealed that David was involved in over R15 million in financial transactions. This figure significantly exceed the R8.7 million originally declared as stolen from the President's property, raising concerns that the actual amount involved could be much higher.

The legal roadblock

The South African Police Service (SAPS) rejected the initial PAIA application, citing that the documents were intended for criminal proceedings and were part of ongoing civil matters. ActionSA contends that these justifications are legally unfounded and do not provide a valid basis for withholding documents of such significant public interest. After an unsuccessful formal appeal against the SAPS rejection, the party has now escalated the matter to the Information Regulator.

Potential implications for the President

ActionSA maintains that if the requested documentation confirms that the President declared a loss of only R8.7 million despite evidence suggesting a larger sum, it would indicate that the President misled the nation, violated his oath of office, and potentially acted in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. 

The party further alleges that institutions have shielded the President from accountability for years, citing the previously IPID report into the Presidential Protection Unit as an example of public bodies serving political interests rather than the public.

Commitment to opposition

Asserting its role as an independent opposition, ActionSA stated it chose not to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) to avoid being co-opted into silence. The party has pledged to continue its efforts to obtain these documents to ensure they are available to assist the work of the Impeachment Committee.