The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has formally requested National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to revive impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing the latest Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on the Phala Phala saga.
Political reactions within the Government of National Unity (GNU) have been notably restrained, with most parties opting to withhold comment until the Speaker provides direction on the matter.
The African National Congress (ANC) stated it will not comment at this stage and is deferring to the Speaker. The Democratic Alliance (DA) indicated it will only respond once a formal motion is tabled, while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) described any engagement as premature before parliamentary processes unfold. Al Jama-ah has similarly reserved its position, saying the party will respond only after the Speaker pronounces on the request.
Not all parties have remained silent, however. Build One South Africa (BOSA) argued that the emergence of new information in the IPID report warrants further scrutiny, and that Parliament must be given the opportunity to fully interrogate the latest findings.
BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane said: “Phala Phala, like many other issues in this country, always deserves proper and thorough investigation. Recent reports have come back with new additional information that challenges what the role of the president is, what the role of the head of security, Wally Rhoode, has been, and many other new sets of information. As Build One South Africa, we want to state categorically that where there’s new evidence that emerges, this matter must be investigated and Parliament must have an opportunity to investigate what this information means.”
In contrast, the Patriotic Alliance has thrown its support behind President Ramaphosa, describing the impeachment push as misplaced and warning against destabilising the Government of National Unity.
Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls said: “We will not support a motion that serves to paralyze the state at a time when we are finally turning the corner on service delivery. With the rand stronger, inflation lower, over 300,000 jobs created, the Patriotic Alliance stands for accountability, but we also stand for fairness. We will continue to support President Ramaphosa and the GNU.”
With parties divided and several still holding back, attention now turns to the Speaker’s office, where a decision on whether to entertain the ATM’s request to revive the impeachment motion could determine the next steps in the matter.