ATM to seek ConCourt clarity on 'vague' High Court impeachment order

CAPE TOWN - The African Transformation Movement (ATM) says it is concerned about the Western Cape High Court's order halting the parliamentary impeachment committee's work, arguing that the ruling is unclear and open to different interpretations.

The party says the order, which prevents the Speaker of Parliament and the chairperson of the impeachment committee from holding public impeachment hearings, does not clearly define what constitutes a "public impeachment hearing."

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ATM leader Vuyo Zungula says the ambiguity raises questions about whether the order also applies to the committee's normal proceedings, making it difficult for Parliament and political parties to know how to comply.

"The question is, what is a public impeachment hearing? Is it the same as an impeachment committee proceeding? It brings about some level of vagueness which could open the order to be interpreted in different ways, which then affects how the order could actually be complied to by political parties and by parliament itself," Zungula said.

As a result, he said the party will approach the Constitutional Court to seek clarity on the scope and meaning of the High Court's ruling.

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