EFF Accuses ANC of Deliberately Stalling Impeachment Committee
Background: Phala Phala and Section 89
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have denounced what they describe as the African National Congress’s (ANC) intentional delay in forming Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment committee. The committee stems from a Constitutional Court ruling that ordered Parliament to properly implement Section 89 after its handling of the Phala Phala matter was deemed unlawful. According to the EFF, the National Assembly rules require Speaker Thoko Didiza to appoint members reflecting each party’s strength before the inquiry can commence.
EFF’s Response to ANC Infighting Claims
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo rejected reports suggesting that the holdup results from internal disagreements between ANC secretary‑general Fikile Mbalula and chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli. He called the narrative “not only dishonest but appears to be a deliberate political smokescreen designed to conceal the ANC’s intentional obstruction of Parliament’s constitutional obligations.” Thambo asserted that the real issue is the ANC’s refusal to deploy its nominees to stall the committee’s work.
Speaker Didiza’s Meetings Raise Concerns
The EFF also highlighted reports that Speaker Didiza recently met with ANC leaders and legal representatives who previously defended President Cyril Ramaphosa in Constitutional Court proceedings related to the Phala Phala affair. Thambo argued that any reasonable observer would view these meetings as part of a broader strategy to shield the president from accountability and to weaken the impeachment process before it begins.
Constitutional Obligations and Party Representation
Thambo emphasized that without the formal constitution of the impeachment committee, its work cannot effectively begin. He accused the ANC of repeatedly manipulating parliamentary procedures whenever senior figures face scrutiny, stating, “The ANC is once again proving that it will manipulate Parliament, abuse procedure and manufacture confusion whenever accountability threatens those in power.”
Committee Composition Announced
Despite the delays, Speaker Didiza announced the establishment of a 31‑member impeachment committee tasked with investigating Ramaphosa. The panel includes representatives from 16 political parties in the National Assembly: the ANC holds nine seats, the DA five, the MK Party three, the EFF two, and each of the remaining parties contributes one member. Parties had until the previous Friday to submit their nominees.
EFF’s Demands
The EFF demanded the immediate constitution of the impeachment committee and reiterated that no political organisation—including the ANC—has the authority to obstruct Parliament from exercising its constitutional duty to hold the President accountable. Thambo concluded that the ANC must cease its alleged obstruction and allow the committee to fulfil its mandate.
Conclusion
The EFF’s criticism underscores growing tensions over accountability mechanisms within South Africa’s Parliament. While the committee has now been formed, the party insists that any further delays or perceived politicisation undermine the constitutional imperative to investigate allegations against the President. The coming weeks will test whether the committee can operate free from partisan interference and deliver a transparent inquiry into the Phala Phala matter.
