Parliament has set in motion the process to establish an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa after the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that the National Assembly acted unlawfully in 2022.
The decision follows growing pressure on National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to implement Friday’s court judgment, which ordered Parliament to proceed with an inquiry under Section 89 of the Constitution.
Didiza has announced a series of immediate steps, including the republication of the 2022 Section 89 panel report in the Parliamentary journals and the formal submission of a copy to the President.
Section 89 Committee To Include All Parties In Parliament
In accordance with National Assembly rules, Didiza must establish an impeachment committee made up of representatives from all 18 political parties currently represented in Parliament.
She will also decide how many members each party may nominate to serve on the committee, potentially making it one of the largest committees ever constituted by Parliament.
The Speaker will further determine the committee’s programme, procedural arrangements and the deadline for completing its investigation.
Parliament Rules To Be Amended Following Court Judgment
Parliament must now amend the rule that the Constitutional Court found to be unconstitutional.
The rule enabled the African National Congress majority in 2022 to prevent an impeachment inquiry from moving forward.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo explained the next procedural step.
“The speaker will refer the Constitutional Court judgment to the National Assembly’s Sub-Committee on the Review of Rules to consider and process the amendment required to the rules of the National Assembly pursuant to the findings, reading-in and directions of the court.”
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Although the committee will investigate whether grounds exist to impeach the President, its conclusions will not be binding on the National Assembly.
Under current parliamentary rules, MPs will still hold a final vote to decide whether President Ramaphosa should be removed from office.
