Parties Respond to Ramaphosa Section 89 Review Decision. Pic AIG
Thokozile Mnguni
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have described President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to take the Section 89 report on review as opportunistic and an attempt to avoid scrutiny over the Phala Phala matter, warning that it raises serious concerns about transparency and constitutional accountability.
The party was responding to Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday evening that he will not resign, but will instead challenge the Section 89 report in court.
EFF national spokesperson Thembi Msane said the move confirms the party’s long-held position that the President is using legal and political avenues to avoid an impeachment inquiry.
She said Ramaphosa had previously launched a review application in December 2022 after an independent panel found prima facie evidence that he may have breached the Constitution and his oath of office.
Msane added that the application was later withdrawn after the governing ANC used its parliamentary majority to halt the impeachment process.
“The EFF will therefore join the review application in opposition to President Ramaphosa and will demand that the matter is treated with urgency on the court roll,” she said, adding that the issue is of “profound national importance”.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) also criticised the President’s decision, arguing that it amounts to an attempt to delay parliamentary accountability.
Party spokesperson Zama Ntshona said a judicial review cannot suspend Parliament’s constitutional duties.
“A judicial review does not and cannot suspend the impeachment or accountability processes of Parliament,” Ntshona said. “These are separate constitutional domains.”
He added that Parliament must continue its oversight role independently and should not allow litigation to interrupt its processes.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the review application should be handled swiftly to avoid prolonged uncertainty.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the matter should be placed on an expedited court roll to ensure legal clarity without unnecessary delay.
He also called on Parliament to seek urgent legal advice on whether the review affects the Section 89 impeachment committee’s work or whether it can proceed in parallel.
“This remains an ANC-made crisis,” Hill-Lewis said, adding that it stems from unresolved questions about the President’s conduct and what he described as a long-standing pattern of shielding party leaders from accountability.