As chairperson, Gana will now lead the committee in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 89 of the Constitution.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
After lengthy and intense negotiations among political parties, Rise Mzansi Chief Whip Makashule Gana was elected chairperson of the Impeachment Committee for the Section 89 Enquiry yesterday.
In a surprise move, the ANC set aside its expected nominee, Doris Mpapane and threw its weight behind Gana, who secured backing from the DA, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, Rise Mzansi and Al Jama-Ah.
The committee was established after the Constitutional Court directed Parliament to investigate whether there are valid grounds to recommend President Cyril Ramaphosa's removal from office.
The race to chair the impeachment committee probing the Phala Phala scandal was filled with drama, political jabs and squabbles. It kicked off with a verbal duel between ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who effectively dismissed Maimane as the leader of a single-seat party, and BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, who had put his hand up to steer the high-stakes inquiry.
Mbalula poured cold water on any prospect of Maimane leading the committee, dismissing him as a “man with one seat” in Parliament and declaring that the ANC would not support his appointment.
His remarks come after Maimane raised concerns that the impeachment process could be compromised if an ANC member were selected to chair the committee. “I have been approached by a number of political parties who have said: ‘Look, you are outside of the GNU, you have got the legal integrity, would you be available to chair this committee?’” Maimane said over the weekend.
As chairperson, Gana will now lead the committee in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 89 of the Constitution.
Image: Phando Jikelo
Addressing the issue, Mbalula insisted that the ANC was not entering the process to shield President Cyril Ramaphosa, but would instead be guided by the Constitutional Court ruling that led to the committee's establishment.
“We are not going into the impeachment process to defend. We are going into the impeachment guided by the ruling of the constitutional court and follow all matters step by step up to the latter,” Mbalula said.
“If at the end the president has to appear before the impeachment committee, we have acted, even in the adult committee; we have acted without fear or favour against our own.”
Prior to the committee getting underway, the Secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, said the Speaker had received a letter challenging MKP's John Hlophe's service on the impeachment committee.
He explained that, since there was no impediment under the rules, Hlophe could continue to serve on the committee. ANC MP Mikateko Mahlaule then commented that while they do not disagree with the ruling, they believe that the Speaker should get a legal opinion “so that when we are taken to court, and we get an adverse ruling,” then they will not be caught wanting.
As chairperson, Gana will now lead the committee in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 89 of the Constitution.
Speaking after his election, Gana thanked the committee members for their support but said that the work had just begun.
“The things that are in our control, we’ll ensure that they are done. Those that are outside of our control will be done by those bodies. Just to announce that there are processes that are on the go with regard to the (committee) rules, but that work won’t stop the work of the committee. They will work in parallel.
“We will be in communication with all the members of the committee, in terms of the next processes that will be taken,” Gana said.
The committee will now turn its attention to determining its programme of work and the next steps in the enquiry process.
Speaking on the sidelines after the committee’s adjournment, Gana said they will now turn to the subcommittee on rules, which will meet on Thursday.
"I'm also part of the subcommittee on rules. When I say that the work has begun, it has indeed begun. I will be interactive with the committee section, but it's a massive responsibility, and for me as a chairperson, it is to execute this responsibility with impartiality,” Gana said.
Commenting on Gana’s election, EFF MP Omphile Maotwe said: “We're happy the ANC did not get their own candidate. The political parties in parliament met earlier, and we deliberated on the three names, and we emerged with Dr Matlatsi, and the DA obviously came with Honourable Makashule Gana. So he's been voted by the DA and the ANC in the main, and other smaller parties."