WATCH | ‘She’s independent’: Ramaphosa defends Didiza in impeachment court row

Thoko Didiza

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza’s decision not to oppose his urgent court application to interdict the parliamentary impeachment committee, saying she is acting independently and in line with the principle of separation of powers.

Ramaphosa is seeking an urgent interdict in the Western Cape High Court to halt the impeachment inquiry linked to the Section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala matter, arguing that the process should be paused until his judicial review is finalised. The impeachment committee, however, is opposing his application.

Didiza has opted to “abide by the court’s decision” rather than oppose the application, saying her stance is not in conflict with Parliament’s impeachment committee and that she will file an explanatory affidavit to assist the court.

Speaking on the sidelines of an ANC event, Ramaphosa said the Speaker must act independently. “The speaker of Parliament has to do the work that she has to do. She’s independent, and we don’t bring any influence to bear on her,” he said, adding that the executive, Parliament and the judiciary must operate separately under constitutional principles.

Her decision has sparked strong criticism from opposition parties, including the EFF, MK Party, ActionSA and the ATM, who accuse her of undermining Parliament’s duty to hold the executive accountable and of effectively siding with Ramaphosa.

The DA said Parliament should follow legal advice and oppose the application, while the ATM described Didiza’s conduct as a “dereliction of duty,” and the EFF called it “reckless, irrational, and irresponsible.”

Parliament’s legal opinion had recommended that the committee oppose the application, but also suggested filing an explanatory affidavit if it chose not to formally oppose it.

The High Court is expected to hear Ramaphosa’s urgent application on 15 and 16 July, while related review proceedings are set for September.

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