The parliamentary committee tasked with conducting the Section 89 impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa has resolved to oppose the President’s urgent court application seeking to stop its work.
The committee announced on Thursday that it will also ask National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to join it in opposing the interdict application.
Ramaphosa launched the urgent application on 12 June, asking the Western Cape High Court to prevent the committee from proceeding with the impeachment inquiry. The matter is scheduled to be heard on 15 and 16 July. This is separate from Ramaphosa’s bid to have the Section 89 panel report set aside.
According to the committee, its mandate stems from an order of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which directed that the Independent Panel Report be referred to the impeachment committee for consideration under National Assembly rules.
The committee said the Constitutional Court order remains binding unless it is set aside or amended by a competent court. It noted that a key legal issue before the courts is whether the Western Cape High Court can suspend obligations arising from a Constitutional Court order.
Committee chairperson Makashule Gana said the body remains bound by the Constitutional Court ruling and will continue carrying out its responsibilities unless directed otherwise by a court.
The committee is due to meet again on 24 June to consider its draft terms of reference and the appointment of evidence leaders. A notice to oppose the President’s application must be filed by 19 June.
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