The Western Cape High Court on Wednesday heard arguments over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to stop parliamentary impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala matter.
Opposition parties including the African Transformation Movement, Economic Freedom Fighters, uMkhonto weSizwe and United Africans Transformation opposed the interdict. Advocates argued that granting it would encroach on Parliament’s domain and breach separation of powers.
Ramaphosa seeks to pause the process pending his September review of the Section 89 panel report by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which found he has a case to answer over the theft of $580,000 at his farm. His legal team said public hearings would cause irreparable reputational harm.
Judges Andre Le Grange, Matthew Francis and Diane Davis presided. The court will resume on Thursday for Ramaphosa’s reply. Some 40 MK members picketed outside, calling for his resignation.
