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Parliament and Ramaphosa Head Toward Court Fight Over Phala Phala Impeachment

Who moves first in the inquiry will shape whether the National Assembly can take evidence before the courts decide on the panel report.

Overview

  • This week the 31‑member Section 89 Impeachment Committee began organisational work and resolved to appoint an evidence leader while signalling it will oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to pause the inquiry.
  • President Ramaphosa has filed an urgent interdict to halt the committee and launched a judicial review of the Section 89 panel report that found prima facie evidence against him.
  • The Western Cape High Court set the interdict for hearing on 15–16 July and scheduled the review of the Ngcobo‑chaired Section 89 report for 2–4 September.
  • The ANC has publicly defended both Ramaphosa and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for complying with court directions and withdrawing a fuller intervention to appear only as a friend of the court, while the EFF has filed a motion of no confidence in Didiza alleging partisan bias.
  • The Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to re‑examine the matter and any final effort to remove the president would require a two‑thirds vote in the National Assembly, making the legal sequencing and public trust in institutions decisive for how the dispute unfolds.