Cape Town – The Constitutional Court has reserved judgment on the EFF’s application challenging Parliament’s decision not to proceed with an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm scandal.
The EFF, supported by the African Transformation Movement (ATM), argues that Parliament acted unlawfully in rejecting the investigation, alleging Ramaphosa concealed a crime involving undeclared foreign currency discovered during a 2020 burglary at his game farm.
The EFF’s legal team contends there was sufficient evidence, as initially concluded by a panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, to warrant further investigation.
They accuse the ANC of using its majority to shield Ramaphosa and call for automatic referral of prima facie findings to an impeachment committee.
However, the court questioned the EFF’s delay in bringing the challenge.
Ramaphosa’s legal representatives argue he has already been held accountable and that Parliament acted lawfully in deciding not to pursue the impeachment. The ANC denies allegations of coercing MPs to protect the president, stating their actions were rational and within parliamentary rules.
While investigations by the Reserve Bank and Public Protector have been conducted, the case remains contentious, with EFF leader Julius Malema vowing to keep the issue alive.
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Source: The Conversation
Picture: Screengrab
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