Section 89 Committee Appeals Court Ruling to Resume Ramaphosa Impeachment

The Section 89 Committee filed an application for direct access to the Constitutional Court on August 5, 2026, seeking to overturn a Western Cape High Court ruling. The High Court had previously granted an interim interdict that halted the committee's impeachment hearings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, which stem from the 2020 theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.

While pursuing the appeal, the committee continues internal procedural work. On August 5, members agreed to request Ramaphosa's testimony, though they determined he should not be the first witness. Legal advisors from Parliamentary Legal Services noted that while the committee has the authority to summon the president, it should first invite him to appear voluntarily. The committee also recommended Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader following a divided vote in which ANC MPs abstained.

Committee members further debated the standard of proof for the proceedings, with legal services suggesting a benchmark of cogent, reliable and persuasive evidence rather than the standards used in criminal or civil trials. However, the process has faced internal criticism, with member Julius Malema characterizing the deliberations as time-wasting.