Squabbles over Ramaphosa impeachment committee

Political parties had until Friday to submit the names of MPs who will serve on Parliament’s Impeachment Committee investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa over a farm theft scandal. However, MPs have warned the inquiry risks being dragged out for months before any evidence is heard. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has established a 31-member committee that will reconsider evidence linked to the theft of foreign currency from the President's Phala Phala farm and decide whether the President is fit to hold office. The committee follows the Constitutional Court ruling that forced Parliament to revive the impeachment process after legal challenges over how the matter was previously handled. According to Saturday Star, MPs say Parliament is now trapped in arguments over rules, procedures and legal processes. A parliamentary rules sub-committee received legal advice from Advocate Andrew Breitenbach, who warned MPs they did not have the luxury of time. However, he also outlined a long list of procedural issues that must first be resolved before the inquiry can begin. Among the issues still under discussion are whether the committee should appoint an evidence leader, how witnesses will be selected and questioned, what format the hearings will take, and how public participation will be included. The legal and procedural uncertainty has already triggered frustration inside Parliament. Opposition Mkhonto we Sizwe MP Mzwanele Manyi warned the process could effectively collapse under delays. Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana said Parliament risked wasting months on the debating process instead of dealing with the allegations against the President. DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis said delays would damage Parliament’s credibility and fuel public distrust. Political parties are expected to submit proposed rules for the inquiry by tomorrow, while the rules sub-committee is scheduled to meet again next Friday.

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