Parliament has constituted a 31-member committee to reassess evidence in the Phala Phala scandal, which has led to mounting calls to impeach President Cyril Ramaphosa. The committee, comprising MPs from all 16 political parties represented in Parliament, will play a crucial role in deciding whether Ramaphosa should face impeachment proceedings.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza announced the formation of the committee, which will review evidence related to the theft of foreign currency at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020. The committee will be made up of MPs from the ANC, DA, MKP, EFF, and other smaller parties, including the IFP, PA, FF Plus, ActionSA, ACDP, UDM, Rise Mzansi, BOSA, ATM, Al-Jama-ah, NCC, and UAT.
Committee Composition
The ANC will hold nine seats on the committee, followed by the DA with five, MKP with three, and the EFF with two. Smaller parties will each have one representative, ensuring that all parties are represented in the committee’s work. According to Parliament, Didiza’s approach aims to balance proportional representation with inclusivity, allowing smaller parties to participate in the process.
Role of the Committee
The committee will revisit the Section 89 independent panel report into the Phala Phala farm theft, a report Ramaphosa is challenging through a court review process. The report found that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution and the Executive Members’ Ethics Code. The committee will assess the evidence and determine whether Ramaphosa’s actions warrant impeachment proceedings.
A two-thirds majority vote in Parliament would be required to remove the president from office. Ramaphosa has rejected calls to resign, insisting that he “did not do anything wrong”. The Phala Phala saga has sparked intense debate and scrutiny, with many calling for Ramaphosa’s resignation.
As the committee begins its work, South Africans can expect a thorough examination of the evidence and a potentially lengthy process. The South African Parliament website provides more information on the committee’s mandate and the impeachment process.
Some key facts about the committee and the Phala Phala saga include:
- The committee comprises 31 MPs from 16 political parties.
- The ANC holds nine seats on the committee, while the DA has five.
- The committee will review evidence related to the theft of foreign currency at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020.
- A two-thirds majority vote in Parliament is required to remove the president from office.
