By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) is holding a special meeting in Cape Town to address urgent political and legal implications following a Constitutional Court judgment regarding the Phala Phala matter.
The Constitutional Court judgement ordered parliament to constitute an impeachment committee to consider the issues relating to a theft off foreign currency in 2020 from the Phala Phala game farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The court set aside the 2022 parliamentary vote which rejected the Section 89 panel report. The court found that a political majority cannot be used to bypass constitutional accountability or shield the executive. National Assembly rules were declared inconsistent with the Constitution because they blocked a full, transparent inquiry.
Opposition parties have made calls for Ramaphosa to resign following the judgment.
However Ramaphosa addressed the nation and stated he would not resign and intends to take the report on review.
The NEC met without Ramaphosa, to discuss the judgment, with officials urging unity to avoid risks to the party.
The party’s Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the decision not to include Ramaphosa in the meeting was prudent because when they discuss a subject that affects an individual, that person must recuse themselves.
“We want NEC members to freely discuss, debate, and reflect on issues without any hindrance on their part, psychologically and otherwise,” he added.
Mbalula said he expects the discussion to go on overnight.
He further explained that the party’s top leadership gave Ramaphosa permission to speak publicly regarding the Constitutional Court Phala Phala judgment before the special NEC meeting.
Mbalula also briefed the party’s 159 MPs to align them with the party’s official position and initiate the internal process. He emphasised that the ANC maintains constant communication with GNU members and noted that removing the President is a high legislative hurdle.
“We know that if someone comes with a motion of no confidence, you need 50% plus one, and when you want to remove the President, you need a two-thirds majority. Nobody will remove the President here without us when they come with impeachment.”
The party’s national officials are scheduled to hold a press briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Friday.