Parliament initiates process to justify impeachment against Cyril Ramaphosa.

A procedure that could result in an investigation into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment will be started by Parliament.

This comes after several failed attempts by the African Transformation Movement to convince Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to support their resolution to summon Ramaphosa before Parliament to answer questions about the Phala Phala farm scandal.

Political parties must propose distinguished South Africans to review the evidence needed to support an impeachment investigation.

Mapisa-Nqakula claims his amended motion has satisfied the standards after the African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula’s request for Ramaphosa to participate in a Section 89 inquiry was initially denied.

According to National Assembly rules, Mapisa-Nqakula will have to refer supporting documents to an independent panel of experts.

“A panel referral, therefore, does not constitute a parliamentary impeachment process, but an assessment of the supplied evidence by legal and constitutional experts to determine if, in terms of the Constitution, it is adequate to warrant a further process,” said Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo.

Three South Africans who are qualified, experienced, and fit to serve must make up the panel; one of them may be a judge.

“The function of the independent panel is to conduct a preliminary assessment of the proposed motion, and in so doing, must in terms of Rule 129G, make a recommendation to the Speaker within 30 days, whether sufficient evidence exists to show the president committed any of the violations specified in the motion.”

Political parties will have until 1 September to nominate candidates to serve on the panel.