The African National Congress’s (ANC) biggest coalition partners in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are not hastening to come to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s defence regarding his decision to challenge an independent panel report.
The report suggests the president should face an impeachment inquiry over the events that unfolded on his Phala Phala farm in 2020.
The Democratic Allince (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) are among the coalition partners who believe Parliament should proceed with the inquiry, regardless of Ramaphosa’s claims that the report is flawed.
On Monday night, Ramaphosa announced his response to Friday’s Constitutional Court ruling, which stated that an impeachment inquiry must be set up unless the parliamentary report is set aside by a court.
Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder described Ramaphosa’s response as a desperate attempt to save himself.
While uncertainty remains as to whether the president’s legal actions will impact parliamentary processes, Mulder argues that even if Ramaphosa is successful in staving off an inquiry for now, he still has a case to answer to.
Mulder suggests that the Phala Phala saga has become less about sparing the president personally and more about preserving the ANC.
“It will make no difference as to the facts in this case that need to be dealt with. There are too many questions that still need to be answered,” said Mulder.
Meanwhile, the IFP maintains that the president’s legal challenge should not suspend Parliament’s constitutional duties, asserting that no one is above the law.
Party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa stated that the impeachment process must proceed parallel to the president’s review application.
“The impeachment process is an institutional responsibility of Parliament and can’t be delayed by legal proceedings where applicable,” said Hlengwa.
On Wednesday, Parliament’s police committee will consider a report on the conduct of police officers who embarked on a covert mission to Namibia to track the president’s stolen money.
This report is likely to also be considered by a parliamentary impeachment committee