Makashule Gana chairs South Africa impeachment panel

A parliamentary committee tasked with considering the impeachment of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has elected its chairperson, a key step in a process stemming from a scandal involving his private farm. Makashule Gana, a Member of Parliament from the Rise Mzansi party, was elected to lead the Section 89 Impeachment Committee, defeating United Africans Transformation MP Wonderboy Mahlatsi by a vote of 19 to 12.

The committee was established following a Constitutional Court ruling that found the National Assembly had previously failed to follow the proper process regarding allegations connected to the theft of foreign currency from President Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. The court directed Parliament to investigate whether grounds exist to recommend the president's removal from office.

Gana's nomination was put forward by the African National Congress and seconded by the Democratic Alliance. He received backing from several other parties, including the Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, and Al Jama-ah. Mahlatsi was nominated by the Economic Freedom Fighters and supported by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Build One South Africa, and...