South African impeachment committee to oppose court challenges

South Africa’s Parliamentary Section 89 impeachment committee has voted to oppose two court applications seeking to overturn its decision to rescind the appointment of Advocate Griffiths Thandazani Madonsela SC as evidence leader.

The committee, tasked with investigating whether President Cyril Ramaphosa should be removed from office following the Phala Phala scandal, decided by 19 votes to nine to fight the legal challenges. The committee also agreed to delay appointing a replacement evidence leader until the court matters are resolved.

The African Legal Professionals Association (ALPA) filed an urgent application with the Western Cape High Court, arguing that President Ramaphosa’s objection to Madonsela—based on an alleged conflict of interest—constituted legal overreach. ALPA contends that Parliament’s own legal services office had previously found no conflict.

The impeachment inquiry stems from the 2020 theft of funds from the President’s Limpopo game farm. While an independent panel previously found Ramaphosa had a case to answer, public hearings have been delayed by interim interdicts and ongoing legal disputes regarding the committee's leadership and processes.