The ANC and DA have proposed that only MPs deemed "fit and proper" should serve on the impeachment committee, which is probing President Cyril Ramaphosa's actions in the Phala Phala scandal.
Image: Phando Jikelo GCIS
The United African Transformation (UAT) has described the ANC and DA's proposal that only MPs deemed "fit and proper" should serve on the impeachment committee as "pure politicking and an example of delaying tactics".
The party said is also an attempt to protect the image of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The committee is probing the findings of the Section 89 Independent Panel report (chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo), which found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct or violated the Constitution regarding the theft of foreign currency from Phala Phala farm.
It is also expected to determine whether Ramaphosa should be removed as president for violating his oath of office.
The joint ANC-DA proposal emerged during a parliamentary rules Subcommittee meeting on Thursday.
The proposal dictates that only "fit and proper" MPs should be permitted to participate in the upcoming inquiry investigating Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal.
This comes after Rise Mzansi's chief organiser, Makashule Gana, was elected as the Chairperson of the 31-member committee.
He won the position after a strategic political proposal where the ANC nominated him, and the DA seconded the nomination.
Gana won the chairmanship with 19 votes, defeating UAT leader Dr Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi who was backed by the opposition's Progressive Caucus (including the EFF and MK Party) and received 12 votes.
Mahlatsi said ethical consideration would have been previously be done, during the swearing of MPs, adding that the ANC-DA "fit and proper" requirement is pure politicking and delaying tactics.
He said this is also aimed at protecting the image of GNU and the President.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri did not respond to queries on the proposal.
DA spokesperson Jan de Villiers said the party’s position is that the impeachment committee must prioritise truth, adding that South Africa’s future depends on accountability, ethics and fearless leadership without favour or fear.
"South Africa’s democratic future depends on leaders being held to the same standards of accountability, ethics and honesty expected of ordinary citizens.
"Committee members must be impartial and above reproach, it can’t be someone who has a set outcome in mind or even worse, impeached themselves in a Parliamentary process that found them in breach of the Constitution," he said.
The MK Party and the EFF have also opposed the move, arguing that MPs are already deemed "fit and proper" when they are sworn into office.
The MK Party specifically called the proposal an opportunistic attempt to sideline its leader, John Hlophe, who was himself impeached as a judge in 2024.
Meanwhile, Mahlatsi also raised raised concerns regarding the integrity of the process, saying that Rise Mzansi is a participant in the broader GNU framework and currently benefits from executive representation through its participation in governance structures in Gauteng.
He said while this does not automatically disqualify Gana from serving as Chairperson, it raises legitimate questions about whether the committee can be perceived as fully independent from political arrangements that may have an interest in protecting the stability of the GNU.
"In law, the test is often not whether actual bias exists, but whether a reasonable and informed observer would apprehend the possibility of bias."
"This principle has been repeatedly affirmed by South African courts in matters concerning procedural fairness and administrative justice. The UAT therefore submits that accountability mechanisms concerning the Phala Phala matter must be insulated from any perception that coalition politics, political expediency, or executive interests are influencing the process," he said.
Mahlatsi added that the credibility of the process is as important as its outcome.
"If the impeachment inquiry is to strengthen constitutional democracy, it must be conducted in a manner that leaves no room for reasonable doubt about its impartiality and integrity."
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said the backing of Gana by both the ANC and DA suggests that both parties have made a deal to shield Ramaphosa.
"Ideally, the committee should be chaired by a member whose party is not part of the GNU. Gana's election poses a risk of impartiality, given the fact that his party Rise Msanzi has benefited from the ANC's invitation," he said.
Another political analyst, Zakhele Ndlovu, said that although he does not want to pre-judge, he does not have much faith in the impeachment committee, adding that the GNU partners 'would not want to see Ramaphosa go down'.