CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has objected to the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader for Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee.
The committee's majority voted two weeks ago to recommend Madonsela for the position. Nine MPs voted in favour of his appointment, while seven backed Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC. Eleven MPs abstained.
Committee chairperson Makashule Gana confirmed that he received a letter from Ramaphosa's office on Tuesday objecting to Madonsela's appointment.
READ | Gana says Impeachment Committee preparatory work to continue
"We are currently studying the contents and consulting with legal services to see the options available to us in terms of how best to respond to this. We would like to have an evidence leader appointed and confirmed as soon as possible," Gana said.
In a letter, the President says Madonsela may have a conflict of interest. He points to his previous decision to remove Madonsela from the Judicial Service Commission in 2022.
Ramaphosa also says Madonsela recently advised the ANC on matters linked to the impeachment inquiry. He argues this could give Madonsela prior knowledge of issues that will come before the committee.
Last month, the Western Cape High Court granted Ramaphosa an urgent interdict halting public hearings by the committee, which is investigating the Phala Phala farm scandal.