Kimunya resigned from the cabinet on 8 July 2008 to pave way for an independent commission to investigate the sale, in which he was involved, after intense public pressure for him to resign over his role in the sale of the hotel. A few days prior to his resignation, he had vowed to remain in his post and fight any attempt to force his resignation, going so far as to announce "I would rather die than resign!" Therefore, his resignation came as a surprise to many.