National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has referred disputed provisions on Section 89 impeachment rules back to the parliamentary Rules Subcommittee after political parties failed to reach agreement.
The Rules Committee had been expected to finalise revised procedures to guide an Impeachment Committee tasked with examining allegations linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s conduct in relation to the Phala Phala farm matter involving the theft of US dollars.
However, disagreements emerged over two key issues: whether only “fit and proper” Members of Parliament should be eligible to serve on the committee, and whether the inquiry should extend to the President’s indirect conduct.
The Democratic Alliance’s proposal to introduce a “fit and proper” requirement has drawn both support and legal scrutiny, with Parliament’s legal advisers recommending that the matter be subjected to public input before adoption. Concerns have also been raised about whether MPs such as John Hlophe should be permitted to participate.
Supporters of the proposal, including Athol Trollip and other parties, argue it reflects public expectations for ethical standards among MPs.
Meanwhile, the ATM’s Thandiswa Marawu questioned whether the scope of impeachment should include actions indirectly linked to the President, prompting caution from Didiza over potential overreach.
Didiza ultimately referred the contested provisions back for further deliberation before any rules can be returned for formal adoption by the Rules Committee.