JOHANNESBURG – The African Transformation Movement is heading to the Constitutional Court to seek clarity on the implementation and effect of its order relating to the Section 89 impeachment process.
The party has instructed its legal team to approach the court on an urgent basis.
Last week, the Western Cape High Court granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict preventing Parliament from proceeding with the public hearings of the impeachment inquiry.
In a statement, the party’s national spokesperson Zama Ntshona said they were concerned that the judgment has created significant constitutional uncertainty.
“Importantly, the decision was not unanimous. A dissenting judgment found that the President had failed to establish a proper case for interim relief, illustrating that the constitutional issues involved remain contested and require authoritative determination by the Apex Court.
“The integrity of South Africa's constitutional democracy depends on clarity, consistency, and respect for the authority of the country's highest court. These are principles that must be protected irrespective of the individuals involved,” Ntshona said.
The party has said it ATM remains “unwavering” in its commitment to constitutional accountability and to ensuring that the Phala Phala matter is not indefinitely delayed through procedural litigation.
“The public must also be reminded that the President has secured only an interim interdict. He has not been exonerated or cleared of the serious allegations arising from the Phala Phala matter. Those allegations remain unresolved and must ultimately be subjected to the constitutional accountability mechanisms established by our democratic order.”