Opposition parties have expressed their disappointment at the High Court’s decision to interdict the Section 89 Committee from proceeding with its inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Western Cape High Court on Friday ruled in favour of Ramaphosa, who wanted the Section 89 inquiry to be halted pending a review of the independent panel report, which gave rise to the inquiry.
But parties like the official opposition, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) said this further protects Ramaphosa from accounting to Parliament.
On Friday, the Western Cape High Court interdicted Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment inquiry for a limited time.
The ruling holds until the same court makes a determination in the review of the independent panel report that led to the inquiry being established by the National Assembly.
Reacting to the judgment, the MK Party’s Andile Mngxitama bemoaned the fact that a lower court halted the inquiry after the Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to institute inquiry proceedings.
“How can a lower court overturn? Basically, this is an overturning of the decision of the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court is the apex court; it’s the highest decision [maker] in this country.”
ATM Member of Parliament (MP) Vuyo Zungula said Ramaphosa still has a case to answer.
“We can’t, as South Africans, allow this issue to go to bed regardless of the State institutions that are used to try and suppress this accountability mechanism.”
The MK Party noted that while their options are limited, they will be getting legal advice on how to proceed.
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