MK Party backs EFF’s motion of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has announced it will support the Economic Freedom Fighters’ motion of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, saying recent developments around President Cyril Ramaphosa’s court application raise serious concerns about the Speaker’s commitment to Parliament’s institutional independence.

Why the MK Party is supporting the motion

The MK Party said it fully supports the motion as tabled by the EFF, arguing that the Speaker’s decision not to actively oppose proceedings that seek to delay or frustrate Parliament’s constitutional obligations creates the perception that partisan political interests are being placed above Parliament’s oversight responsibilities. The party added that the Constitutional Court had directed the impeachment process arising from the Phala Phala matter must proceed with urgency.

In a statement, the MK Party said: “The Speaker’s conduct has undermined public confidence in the impartiality of the Office and has weakened Parliament’s ability to hold the Executive accountable.” It called on Members of Parliament committed to constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of Parliament to support the motion.

Legal steps and upcoming hearing

The MK Party has entered the legal proceedings before the Western Cape High Court to oppose President Ramaphosa’s attempt to interdict the Parliamentary Impeachment Committee. The matter has been enrolled for hearing on 15 and 16 July 2026, the party said.

EFF action and calls from party leader

The EFF formally submitted a motion of no confidence against Didiza. EFF leader Julius Malema said they will have to put a motion in Parliament, “so that Parliament can take note that the Speaker has abandoned it (Parliament)” and that the matter must be shifted to the office of the Deputy Speaker, Dr Annelie Lotriet.

Speaker and Parliament respond

Didiza said she has noted what she described as a “campaign of misinformation, selective interpretation of facts and deliberate attempts to portray her implementation of the Constitutional Court judgment on the Section 89 process as being inconsistent with the work of the Impeachment Committee”. She called this narrative demonstrably false.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo defended the Speaker’s actions, saying the Speaker has “protected the committee’s institutional integrity throughout its work.” He said the Speaker had upheld the Rules of the National Assembly when calls were made to exclude certain committee members and that her responsibility has been to protect parliamentary processes rather than determine outcomes based on political pressure.

Mothapo also noted that a leaked legal opinion had been selectively referenced in criticism and emphasised that legal opinions are not binding: “A legal opinion is precisely thatan opinion. It is not a court order, nor is it binding on the decision-maker.” He said the Speaker considered legal advice together with other constitutional, legal, procedural and institutional considerations before exercising her independent judgment.

Next steps

Mothapo said the proposed motion will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the Rules of the National Assembly and must first satisfy applicable procedural requirements before proceeding through the parliamentary process. He added that he believed the factual allegations advanced in support of the proposed motion are contradicted by the Speaker’s consistent actions in implementing the Constitutional Court’s judgment and protecting the independence of the Impeachment Committee.

The MK Party’s decision to support the EFF’s motion adds another voice to the growing parliamentary challenge surrounding the handling of the Phala Phala impeachment process.