Parliament names 31 MPs to restarted Phala Phala impeachment committee

Parliament has formally established the Phala Phala impeachment committee, with National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza announcing the names of 31 members representing 16 political parties.

What the committee will examine

The committee has been formed to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s conduct in relation to the Phala Phala farm robbery case. The Constitutional Court ordered the impeachment process to restart, directing the parliamentary inquiry to focus on the origins of a large sum of cash that was allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa’s game farm in Limpopo in February 2020.

Who is on the committee

Didiza named 31 MPs to the committee. Notable members include:

• Julius Malema (Economic Freedom Fighters)
• John Hlophe (MK Party)
• Fadiel Adams (Al Jama-ah)
• Vuyolwethu Zungula (African Transformation Movement)
• Faith Muthambi (African National Congress)
• Glynnis Breytenbach (Democratic Alliance)

The full list comprises 31 MPs drawn from 16 political parties.

Timing and political context

As of the announcement, no date has been set for the committee’s first meeting. The committee’s formation comes amid reported tensions within the African National Congress over the nomination of members, which have produced accusations of internal clashes and claims that moves were intended to shield the president from accountability.

Next steps

The committee is tasked with carrying out the inquiry ordered by the Constitutional Court. Further procedural details, including meeting schedules and the committee’s workplan, have not been released.