Cape Town – The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law is subject to judicial review.
According to IOL, the court ordered Ramaphosa to submit all records related to his decision within ten days, following a legal challenge by the Board of Health Funders (BHF) and the South African Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF).
These groups argue the law is unconstitutional due to procedural flaws and inadequate public consultation during its passage.
While the NHI aims to ensure universal healthcare, critics warn it could harm the private healthcare sector and strain public hospital resources. Despite ongoing legal challenges, draft regulations for the NHI have already been published.
BREAKING NEWS | The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa must release the full record of his decision to sign the NHI Bill into law. pic.twitter.com/XVYsStmTHQ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 6, 2025
The BHF hailed the court’s ruling as a significant affirmation of judicial oversight and the rule of law.
“This ruling marks an important milestone in the BHF’s ongoing legal challenge against the NHI Act. It reaffirms the constitutional principle that all public power is subject to the rule of law and that no office-bearer, including the president, is above judicial scrutiny,” the BHF said in a statement, according to The Citizen
The BHF argued that Ramaphosa failed in his constitutional duty under section 79(1) by not sending the NHI Bill back to parliament, despite receiving multiple submissions highlighting concerns.
Instead, he signed the bill into law in May 2024, which the BHF describes as vague, unaffordable, and unworkable.
The BHF, is a non-profit advocating for sustainable healthcare across seven African countries.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
