President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to face intense scrutiny in the National Assembly today, with MPs questioning him on the economy, unemployment, and governance. The political focus, however, remains sharply on the Phala Phala matter and Parliament’s impeachment process, following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment criticising the National Assembly’s prior handling of the issue.
The National Assembly Speaker moved yesterday to establish an impeachment committee. This followed a special closed-door meeting of the ANC’s National Executive Committee in Cape Town the previous night.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo outlined the committee’s composition, emphasising both proportional representation and inclusivity to allow smaller parties to participate in the unprecedented process. The 31-member committee, drawn from 16 political parties, will consist of nine ANC members, five from the DA, three from the MK Party, two from the EFF, and one representative each from the remaining parties represented in the National Assembly.
The Speaker has also referred the Constitutional Court judgment to the National Assembly subcommittee on the review of rules for necessary amendments.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula stated that the party remains open to robust discussions with other parties but will not be pressured or bullied into decisions. He noted that the ANC no longer holds a majority in Parliament and stressed the need to follow due process, pointing out that removing a president requires a two-thirds majority.
In a separate development shortly before the parliamentary sitting, President Ramaphosa dismissed the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola ‘Sisisi’ Tolashe, amid ongoing allegations of impropriety in her department. The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will act in the position until a permanent appointment is made.
Bridget Masango, DA Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue. She noted that the committee had spent significant time addressing multiple investigations and issues in the department rather than its core statutory work. Masango highlighted the need for the department to move beyond grant payments to stronger policy development, provincial implementation, accountability, and partnerships to tackle substance abuse, gender-based violence, child stunting, and related challenges.
Vincent, speaking in his capacity connected to the Presidency, described the dismissal as a constitutional prerogative of the President, unrelated to the impeachment process. He emphasised continuity in the portfolio and the interim arrangement with Minister Chikunga.
MK Party representatives protesting outside Parliament criticised the move, arguing that President Ramaphosa lacks the moral authority to act against ministers while facing impeachment himself. They described the impeachment as a charge of violating the Constitution and called for the President’s removal.
Athol Trollip of ActionSA described both the impeachment committee and the ministerial dismissal as long overdue. He welcomed the broad representation on the 31-member panel but noted its potentially cumbersome size, adding that the committee must consider developments since the original independent panel report, including the recently publicised IPID report.
Other MPs, including those from the ATM, stressed the importance of restoring Parliament’s credibility and holding the executive accountable on both corruption and non-performance. They welcomed steps toward accountability while noting broader governance challenges.
The impeachment committee process marks a shift from 2022, when the ANC’s majority allowed it to block similar efforts. Proceedings in the National Assembly are expected to proceed with President Ramaphosa answering questions, against the backdrop of these developments and ongoing calls for accountability from multiple parties.