Illustration of South African parliament forming impeachment committee for President Ramaphosa
Illustration of South African parliament forming impeachment committee for President Ramaphosa
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Parliament sets up 31-member impeachment committee for Ramaphosa

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South Africa's National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has begun the process of forming a 31-member impeachment committee to examine allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa over foreign currency found at his Phala Phala farm. The move follows a Constitutional Court ruling last Friday that declared a parliamentary rule unconstitutional and required the committee's establishment. Political parties must submit names for the committee by 22 May 2026.

The committee will include nine members from the African National Congress, five from the Democratic Alliance, three from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters. One member each will come from the Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, African Christian Democratic Party, United Democratic Movement, Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa, African Transformation Movement, Al Jama-ah, National Coloured Congress, and United Africans Transformation.

Speaker Didiza met with party chief whips on 13 May 2026 to outline the steps, which include tabling the Section 89 report and formally informing the National Assembly. Parties were asked to submit member names to the National Assembly Secretariat by the close of business on 22 May 2026.

The ANC held a special National Executive Committee meeting in Cape Town on the same day to discuss the court judgment. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the meeting aimed to provide guidance to MPs and party structures, noting that nothing in the ruling required Ramaphosa to resign. The President did not attend the gathering.

What people are saying

Initial reactions on X mix anticipation from opposition figures calling the process overdue with skepticism about its effectiveness due to ANC dominance and small parties' potential influence, plus humorous takes on the ongoing scandal.

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A dramatic courtroom scene from the Constitutional Court hearing on President Ramaphosa's impeachment over Phala Phala.
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