Parliament’s newly established Impeachment Committee faces its first major challenge on Thursday as members consider President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to halt its proceedings.
The committee, which has so far only convened to elect its chairperson, Makashule Gana, was expected to focus on setting its terms of reference and appointing an evidence leader. Instead, its attention has shifted to Ramaphosa’s legal bid to stop the process before it gathers momentum.
Ramaphosa approached the courts last week, seeking an interdict against the committee’s work while he pursues a review application aimed at setting aside Parliament’s 2022 Section 89 report. The report laid the groundwork for the impeachment inquiry linked to the Phala Phala matter.
The President argues that allowing the inquiry to proceed before the court has considered the legality of the report would cause him irreparable harm and prejudice his case.
Gana confirmed that the committee will receive advice from Parliament’s constitutional and legal advisers before determining how to proceed.
“The Impeachment Committee will hold a meeting to receive a report from the constitutional and legal advisers on the urgent court interdict from President Cyril Ramaphosa,” he said.
The legal challenge has intensified political debate, with opposition parties urging National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to actively oppose the President’s application. They contend that the court action is intended to delay accountability processes.
The committee’s deliberations on Thursday are expected to shape the immediate future of the impeachment process and could determine whether the inquiry moves forward or remains on hold pending the outcome of the court review.