following President Cyril Ramaphosa's re-election, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have drafted a motion to impeach the President. The motion, which centers around the Phala Phala saga, has sparked intense debate within the political landscape of the country.
The EFF's Floyd Shivambu made the announcement just moments before the nominations for the President-elect got underway during the first sitting of the National Assembly of the seventh Parliament. Addressing the newly-elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, Shivambu stated that his party had submitted a letter requesting the invocation of impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa in relation to the Phala Phala matter.
"We have also delivered the hard copy letters to you now so you can pay attention to this now," Shivambu asserted, emphasizing the urgency and gravity of the situation.
The letter submitted by the EFF contained an urgent draft resolution, in accordance with rule 119 of the National Assembly Rules. It proposed the establishment of a full impeachment committee, citing the findings of an independent panel on the Phala Phala matter. The panel concluded that there was a prima facie case for impeachment against President Ramaphosa.
While the National Assembly previously debated the report and voted against establishing an impeachment committee, the EFF argues that recent developments have changed the landscape. They highlight President Ramaphosa's failed court challenge to set aside the report and the Constitutional Court's subsequent dismissal of his application.
The EFF firmly believes that the report holds significant weight and that Parliament's failure to process it further through the establishment of an impeachment committee would be a dereliction of duty. The party further asserts that there is nothing prohibiting Parliament from reviving the process.
Speaker Thoko Didiza, acknowledging the gravity of the motion, stated that the matter would need careful deliberation. She emphasized that the new administration would need to consider the letter and respond accordingly. The proceedings, she assured, would continue.
President Ramaphosa's re-election as the head of the Republic of South Africa marks the start of the seventh democratic administration. The National Assembly's first sitting, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, saw a total of 339 ballot papers issued and counted. Of these, 12 were deemed invalid. Ramaphosa secured 283 votes, while Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, received 44 votes.
The nomination process was presided over by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. African National Congress Member of Parliament (MP), Mdumiseni Ntuli, nominated Ramaphosa for the presidency, with Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader and MP, Velenkosini Hlabisa, seconding the nomination.
While the motion to impeach President Ramaphosa adds an unexpected twist to the start of the seventh administration, it remains to be seen how the proceedings will unfold.
