Section 89 showdown: Ramaphosa’s court challenge to be heard over two days

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to halt Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment proceedings over the Phala Phala matter will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ramaphosa wants the impeachment process suspended while he challenges the findings of the independent panel report, which concluded that there is a prima facie case that he may have violated his oath of office.

The Section 89 Impeachment Committee is opposing the application.

Committee chairperson Makashule Gana said: “As a committee, we’re going to oppose the urgent interdict application by President Ramaphosa.”

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has chosen not to oppose the application, saying Parliament’s rules prevent her from interfering in the committee’s work.

“The Speaker has therefore filed to abide, and the court will clarify the matter,” she said.

Ramaphosa said the Speaker’s stance reflects the constitutional principle of the separation of powers.

“The Speaker of Parliament has to do the work that she has to do, and she’s independent… Those three [arms of state] must act independently, and we subscribe to that,” he said.

The court will decide whether the impeachment inquiry should be paused pending Ramaphosa’s review application or allowed to continue.

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