Impeachment Committee agrees to request Ramaphosa’s appearance in Section 89 inquiry
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 9:19 a.m. | By Mmangaliso Khumalo Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee has agreed to request President Cyril Ramaphosa’s…
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Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 9:19 a.m. | By Mmangaliso Khumalo
Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee has agreed to request President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appearance as part of its inquiry into allegations related to the Phala Phala farm matter.
The committee met on Wednesday to deliberate on legal advice, the appointment of an evidence leader, and draft terms of reference that will guide the inquiry.
Members agreed that Ramaphosa should appear before the committee, but not at the start of proceedings.
The committee said it must first establish a case through evidence before calling on the President to respond to the allegations.
Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana said the process must adhere to the constitutional principles of fairness and due process.
"We hope that the matter will not reach the point where the President must be summoned. However, if he refuses to appear, the committee will have to summon him."
The decision follows legal advice from Parliamentary Legal Services, which confirmed that the committee has the power to summon the President if necessary.
Legal advisor Sueanne Isaacs previously told the committee that the President falls within the category of people who may be legally summoned to appear before a parliamentary committee.
"The committee has clear constitutional and statutory authority to summon the president to testify."
However, she advised that the committee should first invite Ramaphosa to appear voluntarily before considering a formal summons.
"We recommend, as a matter of fairness and parliamentary practice, that the committee should first invite the president to testify voluntarily. Only if the president declines to appear should the committee consider issuing a formal summons."
The committee also resolved to recommend the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela SC as evidence leader.
Gana further said the recommendation will now be referred to Parliament’s administration for the formal appointment process.
"Now that the committee has made its recommendation, the matter will be referred to the Secretary to Parliament to make the appointment. The committee recommends a candidate, after which Parliament’s administrative processes take effect."
The committee also considered its draft terms of reference, with members making additional inputs before the document is sent to Parliament’s Legal Services Division for refinement.
Gana added that the committee is close to finalising the framework that will guide the inquiry.
"This will include ensuring consistency in the use of language and applying a uniform drafting style."
The Section 89 inquiry relates to allegations arising from the 2020 theft of foreign currency at President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
An independent panel previously found that the President had a case to answer, a finding Ramaphosa is challenging through legal proceedings.
The committee’s work has been affected by a Western Cape High Court ruling that temporarily…