Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has intensified its push for Parliament to formally oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s court application to set aside the Phala Phala Independent Panel report linked to the Section 89 impeachment process.
In a detailed letter to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza dated 27 May, EFF National Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu said Parliament must act against Ramaphosa’s legal bid, arguing it could obstruct accountability processes already underway.
“The EFF demands that the National Assembly, under your leadership as Speaker, must oppose the President’s application,” the party said, warning that failure to do so would “undermine the authority, integrity, and constitutional role of the National Assembly.”
The party stressed that the Independent Panel process was a key constitutional mechanism, stating: “The Independent Panel process was established in terms of the Rules of the National Assembly and constituted an important constitutional accountability mechanism of Parliament,” adding that allowing it to be challenged without opposition would weaken Parliament’s authority.
The EFF also insisted that all political parties in Parliament must be included in decisions around legal representation, rejecting what it called an ANC-dominated approach. It said: “It cannot be correct that only the Chief Whip of the ANC is included in such deliberations as though he carries a mandate on behalf of all political parties represented in the National Assembly.”
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The EFF’s Letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Demanding That Parliament Oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Application to Set Aside the Independent Panel Report and Ensure an Inclusive Process for the Appointment of Legal Representation. pic.twitter.com/GkkqrVKwKK
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 27, 2026
Nolutshungu further argued that the Speaker should not act alone, warning that the matter “cannot be approached as an internal ANC matter or through private consultations between the Office of the Speaker and the ANC Chief Whip,” and must instead be treated as a collective parliamentary issue.
A key concern raised by the EFF is what it describes as a conflict of interest involving Didiza, noting her previous vote against advancing the Section 89 impeachment inquiry in December 2022. The party argued: “It would therefore be improper for the same person who voted against the continuation of the impeachment process to unilaterally take decisions regarding legal opposition to matters arising from that very process.”
The EFF further emphasised urgency, saying the issue “is not a mere administrative matter in respect of which the Speaker can simply claim executive authority and act unilaterally,” but one that concerns “the constitutional integrity of Parliament and the collective interests of all political parties represented in the National Assembly.”
Citing a recent Constitutional Court judgment, the party said it reinforces the need for “an inclusive, transparent and collectively agreed process.”
The EFF has warned that if its demands are not met, it reserves the right to approach the courts for urgent relief, signalling possible legal action against Parliament.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
