BREAKING: Impeachment committee to request Ramaphosa
· The South African
Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee has agreed to request President Cyril Ramaphosa to appear before its inquiry.
The committee reached the decision during a meeting on Tuesday, where members considered a legal opinion on the president’s appearance, the appointment of an evidence leader and the draft terms of reference for the inquiry.
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Ramaphosa will not be the first witness
The committee agreed that Ramaphosa will not testify first. Instead, it will first hear evidence and establish a case before inviting the president to respond.
Published on Wednesday, 5 August, the statement read: “The Impeachment Committee met today to consider, among other things, the legal opinion on the appearance of the President, its recommendation for the appointment of the evidence leader and the draft terms of reference that will guide its work.
“In considering the legal opinion, the committee agreed that the President will not be the first witness to appear before the committee. It must first establish a case to which the President can respond.”
Committee chairperson Makashule Gana said the committee hoped Ramaphosa would appear voluntarily.
“We hope that the matter will not reach the point where the President must be summoned. However, if he refuses to appear, the committee will have to summon him,” Gana said.
Evidence leader recommended
The committee also resolved to recommend the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela SC as evidence leader.
The recommendation will now be sent to Parliament’s Secretary, who will oversee the administrative process required to formalise the appointment.
Terms of reference nearing completion
Members also considered the committee’s draft terms of reference and proposed further amendments.
The revised document will now be referred to Parliament’s Legal Services Division to refine the wording and ensure consistency before it returns to the committee for final consideration.
Gana said the committee is now close to finalising the framework that will guide the Section 89 inquiry.