Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS)
Thoko Didiza, speaker of parliament, indicated in court papers that she did not pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to the Cape Town High Court, to force the impeachment committee to stop its work for the time being, will not be opposed.
Maroela Media reported earlier that the parliamentary impeachment committee was advised to oppose Ramaphosa’s urgent interdict application and the committee, which must decide whether Ramaphosa should be placed in a state of impeachment, decided to follow this legal advice.
Ramaphosa requested the court to prohibit the committee from continuing with its work pending the conclusion of its review application on the report of the independent panel regarding the Phala Phala events.
Also read: Impeachment committee to oppose interdict application
However, Didiza informed the court on Friday of her intention to abide by the court’s decision. She will submit an explanatory statement about it by Tuesday.
Lerato Ngobeni, a Member of Parliament from ActionSA, says the party is “deeply disappointed but not surprised” by the speaker’s decision.
“The decision is a clear indication that the ANC has once again teamed up so that the speaker puts political protection above constitutional duty.”
ActionSA says this after the impeachment committee undertook only on Thursday to oppose the application in accordance with its responsibility to ensure accountability and protect the integrity of parliament.
“By refusing to act, the speaker undermines parliament’s obligation to exercise oversight over the executive. It sends the wrong message to South Africans about accountability in the highest office in the land.”
“ActionSA continues to put pressure on the speaker and chairman of the committee to ensure that accountability is not delayed by endless legal action and Stalingrad tactics (delay tactics) by the president.
“If the president believes he has done nothing wrong, the process should be openly packed and the truth should be allowed to come out, instead of constantly trying to evade investigation.”