EFF and Parliament Appeal High Court Halt of Ramaphosa Impeachment

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Parliament's Section 89 impeachment committee have launched urgent appeals to the Constitutional Court of South Africa to overturn a Western Cape High Court ruling. The High Court had granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict to suspend public impeachment hearings pending a review of an independent panel report regarding the 2020 theft of approximately $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm.

The EFF, led by Julius Malema, argues that the judiciary improperly interfered with Parliament's exclusive constitutional mandate to hold the executive accountable. Party members contend that the proceedings would provide Ramaphosa a platform to clear his name and that the president's claim of irreparable harm is a tactic to delay accountability. The Section 89 committee, chaired by Makashule Gana, resolved on July 29 to file a notice of appeal to the apex court.

While opposition parties including the EFF, MK Party, and African Transformation Movement support the appeal, the African National Congress and other parties urged against it, noting the interdict is temporary. Despite the suspension of public hearings, the committee will continue preparatory work, including appointing evidence leaders. The Western Cape High Court is scheduled to hear Ramaphosa's review application from September 2 to 4.