Democratic Alliance federal leader and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party will defend constitutional accountability after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking the impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala scandal.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the Constitutional Court found that the National Assembly’s 2022 decision to halt impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa was unconstitutional and invalid.
The ruling effectively revives the Section 89 process and sends the matter back to Parliament for reconsideration.
The case stems from allegations surrounding the theft of foreign currency concealed at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.
Impeachment inquiry blocked in 2022
A Section 89 independent panel previously found there was prima facie evidence that the president may have violated the Constitution and committed serious misconduct, but Parliament voted against proceeding with an impeachment inquiry in December 2022.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, Hill-Lewis said Ramaphosa needs to account.
“We will uphold the rule of law as Phala Phala moves to the impeachment process. This is a serious moment for Parliament, for the Presidency, and for South Africa’s constitutional democracy. The president must have the opportunity to account fully,” he said.
‘DA, ANC differ in approach to accountability’
Hill-Lewis said the judgment underscored the difference between the DA’s and the ANC’s approach to governance and accountability.
“For too long, the ANC has presided over a political culture in which accountability is delayed, diluted or avoided when it becomes inconvenient. The DA stands for a different kind of politics in which the Constitution comes before party loyalty, and no leader is shielded from answering to the people.”
The Constitutional Court’s ruling is expected to trigger renewed political pressure on Parliament as parties prepare for the next phase of the impeachment process.
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- The Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking the impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa related to the Phala Phala scandal.
- The ruling revives the Section 89 impeachment process and sends the case back to Parliament for reconsideration.
- The scandal involves stolen foreign currency found at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, with a prior panel finding prima facie evidence of serious misconduct.
- Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis emphasized the need for the president to be held accountable and defended constitutional accountability.
- The ruling highlights contrasting governance approaches between the DA, which prioritizes constitutional accountability, and the ANC, which the DA accuses of avoiding accountability.
Democratic Alliance federal leader and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party will defend constitutional accountability after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking the impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala scandal.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the Constitutional Court found that the National
A Section 89 independent panel previously found there was prima facie evidence that the president may have violated the Constitution and committed serious misconduct, but Parliament voted against proceeding with an impeachment inquiry in
"We will uphold the rule of law as Phala Phala moves to the impeachment process.
Hill-Lewis said the judgment underscored the difference between the DA's and the ANC’s approach to governance and accountability.
"For too long, the ANC has presided over a political culture in which accountability is delayed, diluted or avoided when it becomes inconvenient.
ALSO READ:
Concourt: Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment
EFF demands timeframes from national assembly speaker
