Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Karabo Khakhau has declared that the party expects Parliament to fully constitute an impeachment committee and carry out the process against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala matter, stating that nothing shields the president from accountability.
Speaking in a recent interview, Khakhau stressed that no one is above the law in South Africa, including the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
“Our anticipation is nothing other than parliament fully constituting the impeachment committee and continuing with what is the expectation of parliament, which is to hold the executive accountable,” Khakhau said. “There’s nothing that shields president Ramaphosa from accountability because there is nobody who is above the rule of law in this country.”
The DA MP noted that a panel report of three has already concluded there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing and a breach of a range of constitutional provisions. She said the party’s participation in the impeachment committee would be honest to the Constitution, truthful and loyal to the people of South Africa, and unrelenting.
“Whatever the president is going to deny, ours remains clear. He must subject himself before parliament for full scrutiny to show the republic that he has nothing to hide,” Khakhau said.
When asked about the specific findings of the Section 89 panel report — which found that Ramaphosa contravened Section 96(2)(a) of the Constitution by acting inconsistently with his office or exposing himself to a risk of conflict between official responsibilities and private interests — Khakhau confirmed the report made it very clear.
She recalled that in 2022, the DA voted to accept that report. While suggesting the ANC may have been confused about honest conduct, she said the DA’s position had never wavered.
Khakhau also addressed the DA’s role within the Government of National Unity (GNU), stating that the party’s relationship with other GNU partners is not premised on the protection of any wrongdoing, even if committed by the president.
“Our mandate as the Democratic Alliance received from all voters of the Republic of South Africa is to be an honest political party, one that conducts itself in line with democratic principles of accountability, a party that is anti-corruption, anti-criminal conduct of any kind,” she said.
She confirmed the DA would have its proportional representatives present in the impeachment committee to exhaust all questions around the report’s claims. “If there is a violation, the writing is on the wall. Nobody is safe,” Khakhau said.
