New Update On Ramaphosa’s Impeachment

The committee looking into the possible impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa wants more time to widen the search for an evidence leader.

The Section 89 impeachment committee met on Wednesday to deliberate on who parliament’s evidence leader for the anticipated hearings should be.

A list of nine potential evidence leaders was presented to the committee; however, only five had signalled their availability to participate.

Members soon asked for a postponement as they felt the list of options was too short, and wished to add names to the list before coming to a decision.

Parties will be given until Friday, 24 July at 6pm to provide additional nominations, with the committee to convene again on 29 July for the intended deliberations.

‘Exercise may be futile’

The five nominees that confirmed their availability from August were advocates Kate Hofmeyr, Vuyani Ngalwana, Ismail Jamie, Pule Seleke and Zintle Matebese, with most having prearranged matters to juggle until later in the year.

The ANC’s Mikateko Mahlaule expressed his concern around one of the senior counsel’s “perceived” conflict of interest, but added he wanted committee members to be fully familiar with the options before them.

“We want to suggest that maybe let’s allow political parties to also do due diligence on the advocates, so that when we engage with political parties, we don’t engage from a disadvantaged point of view,” said Mahlaule.

A ruling on Ramaphosa’s attempt to halt the impeachment enquiry will be made on Friday morning in the Western Cape High Court, with Mahlaule putting forward another reason to delay.

“Maybe this exercise may be futile depending on the judgement, [but] if the judgement says we proceed, we proceed with determination,” said Mahlaule.