The Impeachment Committee of the South African Parliament, established to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa's alleged involvement in the 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal, has faced significant delays due to multiple court challenges. Despite these obstacles, Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana remains confident that the committee will complete its work once the legal issues are resolved. The committee first met on June 1, 2026, and has yet to finalize its terms of reference.
Gana stated that the committee is currently proceeding with tasks within its control, while issues related to court processes are being handled. He expressed confidence that the committee's work will be completed, but acknowledged that certain factors, such as court rulings, are beyond their control. The committee aims to adopt its terms of reference at its next meeting, following written submissions from various political parties represented in Parliament.
The committee's progress has been hindered by the unavailability of some members, who are also chairpersons of other parliamentary committees. As a result, most of the committee's work has been conducted during the constituency period, when there are fewer scheduling conflicts. Gana emphasized that the committee is required to deal with the matter "as quickly as possible" within the confines of the law.
Recently, Gana filed an answering affidavit in response to a legal challenge by the EFF and the African Legal Professional Association. The challenge targeted the committee's decision to rescind its recommendation of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader, following objections raised by President Ramaphosa. The committee had initially resolved to appoint Madonsela but later reversed its decision due to concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
The impeachment committee has faced previous court applications, including an urgent interdict instituted by President Ramaphosa, which prohibited the committee from proceeding with public impeachment hearings. A court decision on the president's review application is still pending. Despite these challenges, Gana remains committed to completing the committee's work.
The committee's work is crucial in determining whether President Ramaphosa should be removed from office over allegations related to the Phala Phala farm scandal. Gana's leadership and the committee's diligence will play a significant role in ensuring that the process is fair and thorough. The outcome of the committee's investigation and the subsequent court decisions will have far-reaching implications for South Africa's political landscape.
As the committee navigates the complexities of its mandate, it must balance its responsibilities with the need to respect the legal processes and court decisions. Gana's assurance that the committee will complete its work once the legal challenges are resolved provides some clarity on the process. The nation awaits the outcome of this critical inquiry, which will determine the future of President Ramaphosa's tenure.
Key points
- The Impeachment Committee will complete its work once the legal challenges are resolved.
- The committee has faced multiple court challenges, including applications by President Ramaphosa and the EFF.
- The committee aims to adopt its terms of reference at its next meeting.
