Ramaphosa to answer oral questions as impeachment pressure mounts

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to face tough questioning in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon as he responds to oral questions from Members of Parliament in Cape Town.

According to The Presidency, Ramaphosa will address issues ranging from youth skills development and student debt to investment-driven job creation and crime-fighting initiatives.

“The President will, among other questions, brief Parliament on youth skills development and government’s plans to address students’ debt,” the Presidency said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The President is also expected to update MPs on the impact of government investment conferences on employment creation and provide details on the rollout of Operation Prosper, government’s anti-crime initiative.

“In addition, he will provide an update on the roll-out plan of the anti-crime Operation Prosper,” the statement read.

Ramaphosa is further expected to answer questions relating to the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to crime hotspots and the process followed in placing National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension.

Although questions relating directly to last week’s Constitutional Court of South Africa ruling on the Phala Phala matter are not formally listed on the programme, opposition MPs are expected to raise the issue through follow-up questions.

The Constitutional Court recently ruled that Parliament must establish an impeachment committee to consider prima facie evidence against Ramaphosa relating to foreign currency stolen from his Phala Phala farm in 2020.

Meanwhile, Thoko Didiza has confirmed that she met with Chief Whips on Wednesday to discuss proposals for the establishment of the impeachment committee.

Parliament said the process includes tabling the Section 89 Independent Panel report before the National Assembly, formally informing Ramaphosa of the findings and initiating the formation of the impeachment committee.

“These sessions are one of the mechanisms Parliament uses, in terms of the Constitution, to hold the Executive to account,” the Presidency said.

The oral reply session is scheduled to take place at the Nieuwmeester Dome at 2pm.

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