President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed an urgent court application in the Western Cape High Court seeking to stop parliament from proceeding with an impeachment inquiry against him. He argues the process should be suspended while a separate legal review application remains before the courts, according to court papers filed on Friday.
In his application, Ramaphosa seeks an interdict against National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and impeachment committee chairperson Makashule Gana. He asks the court to bar them from commencing an impeachment inquiry under Rule 129M of the National Assembly rules. The application also lists ATM leader Vuyolwethu Zungula, the EFF, and the African Transformation Movement as respondents.
Ramaphosa has requested that the matter be heard on an urgent basis, asking the court to set aside normal procedural timeframes and service rules. Respondents who intend to oppose the application are given eight days after receiving the notice of motion to file opposition papers and answering affidavits. He is also seeking a costs order against any opposing parties.
The filing represents the latest legal step in Ramaphosa’s attempt to challenge the impeachment process while his review application is still pending. If granted, the interdict could prevent parliament from proceeding with the inquiry until the court finalises the underlying review case, which remains unresolved.
More details here...
