Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

06 August 2026

2-minute read

The Impeachment Committee is to decide whether President Ramaphosa should be impeached following the Phala Phala scandal.

An evidence leader, advocate Thandazani Madonsela, has been recommended to parliament to lead the evidence against Ramaphosa. Six opposition parties voted in a roll-call vote of political parties to pick the advocate, with the ANC abstaining from the process.

Political analyst Khanyi Magubane states that she was “very surprised” to hear that the process was paused until the review process is completed, despite the Western Cape High Court judgement that the process is to be happening in parliament. Unless the matter is overturned by a higher court or appealed, she points out that she is unsure what the move to instate an evidence leader is really all about, considering that parliament would not “outwardly conflict” the rulings of the court.

The ANC abstained from voting making it clear that they will not participate in the process to investigate “our president of our party” and will follow the ruling of the Western Cape High Court.

While the Constitutional Court is the apex of law making in South Africa with binding rulings, Parliament moving ahead with the appointment of an evidence leader makes this a unique unfolding of legal matters. Ultimately, Khanyi emphasizes, “we should not forget that this is the president trying to fight for his political life!” Should the impeachment committee go ahead and find that the Western Cape’s rulings were inconsistent with the powers of the Constitutional Court, future rulings could easily be overturned, giving Parliament the freedom to continue with its work.

These legalities are simply “time-buying tactics” to delay the final review and ultimate decision being taken, says Khanyi. However, if it is found that the executive code of ethics was broken, Ramaphosa may be stripped of his title, even though this may happen when he is no longer the sitting president as there will be no change in the mitigating circumstances.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Khanyi Magbane here.