Parliament’s impeachment committee will hold its first meeting on Monday, marking the next chapter in the revived Phala Phala saga involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Committee members are expected to elect a chairperson at the meeting.
The committee was established after the Constitutional Court set aside Parliament’s 2022 decision on the matter.
The Phala Phala controversy stems from the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm in 2020.
Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, saying money came from a buffalo sale to a Sudanese businessman.
The theft sparked questions about the source of the money, how Ramaphosa stored it and how authorities responded.
In 2022, an independent panel chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo examined the allegations.
The panel found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have breached the Constitution and other laws. The finding, however, was not a determination of guilt.
The panel recommended a full parliamentary inquiry into the allegations.
However, the National Assembly voted 214 to 148 in December 2022 against adopting the report, effectively halting the impeachment process.
Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court ruled that the vote was unconstitutional and invalid. The ruling revived the process and directed Parliament to refer the report to a 31-member impeachment committee.
Ramaphosa has since asked the Western Cape High Court to review the panel’s report.
His court challenge has raised questions about whether the committee should continue its work.
EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi sought clarity during a parliamentary meeting.
“What is the plan of Parliament since we have seen that the President has taken this matter to court, trying to challenge the Section 89 report?” asked Mkhaliphi.
ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said Parliament’s rules require the committee to meet shortly after its establishment.
“We know that on Monday the Speaker did issue communication about the 31 members of that Impeachment Committee. Now it’s Thursday, there is no communication whatsoever about the start of that committee,” said Zungula.
He added: “There is nothing that has given direction or raised questions about that committee not sitting. So we just wanted to find out basically, when we are going to expect the communication.”
National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso said the committee would meet on Monday to elect a chairperson.
Acting Chief Parliamentary Legal Adviser Frank Jenkins said Parliament was seeking legal advice on Ramaphosa’s application.
Nabob News
