JOHANNESBURG - Action SA has sent a letter to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attempt to stop the Section 89 Impeachment Committee.
The party said the President is trying to keep Parliament from doing its constitutional duties.
ActionSA Impeachment Committee member Lerato Ngobeni has now questioned the timing of the President’s legal action.
READ | Impeachment committee to receive legal briefing
“The fact that he’s had an entire month after the judgment, the court judgment was handed down by Justice Maya. Only then is he trying to stop the work of the impeachment committee. But from our vantage point, that cannot be stopped by a process of parliament.”
Ngobeni maintains that the Impeachment Committee is constituted, a chairperson elected and terms of reference discussed and as such, they cannot waste any more time.
“We don’t honestly have the energy or even the interest in dealing with the President’s matter, but we’re going to have to because it is a process that he’s put before Parliament. But we want to support the Speaker in her efforts to hold the President accountable and not stop the process from going on, from proceeding.”
Ramaphosa approached the Western Cape High Court last Friday seeking an urgent interdict while he challenges the Section 89 report.
READ | Impeachment inquiry interdict showdown set for July
He argued that allowing the Impeachment Committee to proceed before the review is heard could cause irreparable harm.
The Section 89 Impeachment Committee is expected to receive a briefing on Wednesday on Ramaphosa’s legal bid to halt its proceedings.