ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has urged ANC MPs to vote with conscience on the Phala Phala report and endorse the impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying a repeat of the Nkandla report should be avoided.
“ActionSA implores all ANC and opposition MPs alike to vote in favour of initiating impeachment proceedings against president Ramaphosa,” Mashaba said on Tuesday.
“It is central to democratic accountability that parliament forges ahead with a public and transparent impeachment inquiry in the interest of satisfying South Africans that their elected officials are seeking justice on their behalf against a president who has a serious case to answer for.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, convened a full sitting of the National Assembly to be held on Tuesday afternoon to consider the Section 89 Independent Panel report’s findings into the Phala Phala robbery.
The report, which was handed over to parliament by retired chief justice Sandile Ngcobo early in December, found that Ramaphosa has a serious case to answer for in relation to US dollars which were stolen during a robbery at his farm in Limpopo in February 2020.
“Parliament now has a duty to proceed with the section 89 impeachment process. While we welcome the National Assembly being convened to do its work, we are concerned that this is a cynical ploy for the ANC to use its majority to close ranks and shield the president from accountability.
“There can be no doubt that an impeachment probe by parliament is warranted given the serious allegations made against the president by a panel appointed by parliament itself. It would be manifestly irrational for parliament to now ignore its findings.”
Mashaba added that ANC MPs are duty bound to give effect to section 55(2) of the constitution, which demands that parliament should exercise oversight over the executive and hold it accountable.
“This instruction by the ANC national working committee [for ANC MPs to vote against the report] is a brazen attempt to circumvent that constitutional imperative and protect the president in a manner reminiscent of Nkandla.
“How can any true South African vote not to explore impeachment against the president who is likely to have violated his own oath of office?
“It must be repeated that South Africa, over the last decade, has had to come to terms with political leaders who are battling criminal charges and violations of the constitution. This seems to pre-occupy these leaders when the country is desperate for effective and ethical leadership.”
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