Amanze Chinonye
South Africa’s opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, has vowed to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s planned judicial review application against the Section 89 Independent Panel Report on the Phala Phala scandal, accusing him of attempting to evade constitutional accountability.
In a statement issued on Monday, the EFF said Ramaphosa’s decision to challenge the report confirmed what the party had long maintained that the president would use “every political and legal mechanism available” to avoid an impeachment inquiry before Parliament.
The party described the review application as “opportunistic” and “dishonest,” arguing that Ramaphosa only revived legal action after the Constitutional Court overturned Parliament’s earlier decision to block impeachment proceedings against him.
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The controversy stems from the Section 89 panel report chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution and his oath of office in relation to the 2020 theft of foreign currency at his Phala Phala farm.
The EFF noted that Ramaphosa initially sought a judicial review of the report in December 2022, but later withdrew the application after the African National Congress used its parliamentary majority to halt the impeachment process.
“Now, nearly four years later, after the Constitutional Court declared the ANC-led parliamentary process unlawful and ordered that the report be properly referred for an impeachment inquiry, Ramaphosa suddenly seeks to revive legal challenges against the very same report he previously abandoned,” the statement said.
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The party announced that it would formally join the court proceedings in opposition to Ramaphosa’s application and would push for the matter to be heard urgently because of its constitutional significance.
The EFF also said it was seeking legal advice on whether the president’s review application could affect the Constitutional Court’s directive that Parliament proceed with the impeachment process.
According to the party, the review application should not delay or suspend the establishment of an impeachment committee.
The opposition party further called on National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to oppose Ramaphosa’s review application, arguing that her office established the independent panel and therefore had a duty to defend Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.
“The review application by the President of the Republic of South Africa is a review of her legislative authority to execute accountability over the executive,” the EFF stated.
The party insisted that constitutional accountability mechanisms should not be frustrated through prolonged litigation whenever scrutiny of the executive becomes imminent.
The EFF concluded by renewing its call for Ramaphosa to resign, saying the president should step aside if he had “any conscience, political integrity, or respect for the people of South Africa and the constitutional order.”
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
