JOHANNESBURG - The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has criticised the President's court bid against the Section 89 impeachment process.
The party argued that the timing raises questions as Parliament moves to examine the Phala Phala findings.
ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said Ramaphosa's court interdict had nothing to do about the best interests of future presidents or South Africans, rather, it was about him wanting to avoid any form of being held accountable.
READ | Ramaphosa's Section 89 challenge could trigger constitutional clash, says analyst
Zungula claimed Ramaphosa fears that should the impeachment committee find that he's guilty of gross misconduct, it might vote to impeach him.
"The report was tabled in Parliament in 2022. He never went to court seeking to challenge the report. The only reason why he's going now, is because the report has got consequences in that there's now an impeachment committee that will examine all of the facts," he said.
Much like the ATM, the MK Party argued that Ramaphosa was applying the "Stalingrad Tactic”, which refers to a legal strategy of avoiding accountability through delays.
READ | Section 89 impeachment heads to court, Ramaphosa seeks urgent interdict
According to party's spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu this is a waste of time and taxpayers' money.
"Ramaphosa has not been able to prove to court that he will suffer irreparable harm or reputational harm should this matter continue. Ramaphosa should take the nation into his confidence and exit the east wing of the Union Building," Mahlangu said.
He insisted that Ramaphosa must allow the Section 89 process to continue without further delays.
"I think the President suffers from a fear of impeachment. This process, of course, will be driven by several other processes. Perhaps a vote of no confidence, an impeachment process, those processes will be two separate processes.
"If he knows that he'll be impeached on one hand, he will not want the evidence used in a vote of no confidence or vice versa," he said.
On Wednesday, the Western Cape High Court heard President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent bid to stop Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process.
The President wants the process suspended pending a review of the Section 89 Independent Panel Report, which found that he has a case to answer regarding the Phala Phala saga.