Parliament Committee Opposes Ramaphosa Court Bid

South Africa’s parliamentary impeachment committee has resolved to formally oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent court application to halt its inquiry into the Phala Phala scandal. The committee’s decision, taken on Thursday, June 18, 2026, follows legal advice that it has a constitutional duty to proceed with the process without delay.

Ramaphosa filed papers in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, June 12, seeking an urgent interdict to stop the impeachment inquiry. He argued that allowing the committee to begin its work before a separate court reviews the underlying Section 89 independent panel report would cause him irreparable harm and prejudice. His broader review application challenging that report is scheduled to be heard from September 2 to 4.

Advocate William Mokhare SC, advising the committee on behalf of Parliament’s legal services, presented a firm opinion during a virtual briefing. He stated that the committee’s obligation stems not only from parliamentary rules but from a binding order of the Constitutional Court, which referred the so-called Ngcobo panel report to Parliament for consideration. Mokhare argued that only the Constitutional Court itself can...