CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — The MK Party’s bid to remove Makashule Gana as the chairperson of the Section 89 Impeachment Committee has been firmly rejected by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, escalating political tensions over the leadership and direction of the high-stakes inquiry.
The MK Party had formally demanded Gana’s replacement, accusing him of undermining the committee’s independence and credibility. MK Party Parliamentary Leader Dr John Hlophe argued that Gana is inherently conflicted due to his party’s participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU), which includes the President—the very subject of the impeachment investigation. Hlophe further characterized Gana as a “product of the DA” who lacks impartiality and consistently forces votes on procedural matters, knowing the MK Party will be outvoted.
The immediate catalyst for the MK Party’s demand was the committee’s recent decision to rescind its recommendation of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the Evidence Leader. Dr Hlophe noted that the MK Party’s preferred candidate, Dr Mashadi, was defeated in a 19-2 vote, prompting the party to seek urgent intervention from the Speaker to set aside Gana’s election.
However, Speaker Thoko Didiza flatly rejected the request. Her office maintained that she lacks the authority to interfere in the committee’s internal democratic processes, emphasizing that Makashule Gana was elected fairly and transparently by the 31-member committee. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo reinforced this position, stating, “The Speaker is not empowered to override the internal democratic processes of a parliamentary committee, particularly where decisions have been taken firmly in accordance with the rules.”
The MK Party’s move has drawn sharp criticism from major political rivals. ANC MP Cameron Dugmore dismissed the demand as “disingenuous,” pointing out that Gana was democratically elected and that the MK Party had previously raised no objections to his chairing style or approach during committee proceedings. Similarly, DA Parliamentary Leader George Michalakis stated that the MK Party is merely criticizing the chairperson because they lost a democratic vote in the most recent meeting regarding the evidence leader.
Conversely, the MK Party’s stance found support from the United Africans Transformation (UAT). Wonder Mahlatsi of the UAT backed the call for a leadership change, stating, “To protect the credibility and legitimacy of the Section 89 process, its leadership must be demonstrably independent of the GNU.”
Looking ahead, the impeachment committee is scheduled to meet again next week to restart the entire process of appointing an evidence leader. The committee will deliberate and agree on a new name to recommend to the National Assembly for a final decision.
Despite the Speaker’s rejection, the MK Party insists the fight is not over. Dr Hlophe indicated that the party will regroup and consider alternative options, including mass mobilization on the ground. He cited a Constitutional Court order emphasizing that the impeachment process must be governed by integrity, rationality, openness, and accountability, not merely by numerical majorities. Hlophe concluded by accusing the current leadership of deliberately shielding the President from accountability for alleged unlawful activities, warning that the prolonged stability of the GNU remains detrimental to the country.
