Thokozile Mnguni
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has outlined the next step in the parliamentary process for the composition of the Impeachment Committee, in line with section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
The development follows internal consultations on how Parliament should proceed with what has been described as uncharted procedural ground for the legislature.
Today, the Speaker engaged the National Assembly Chief Whips Forum, comprising Chief Whips and representatives of political parties represented in the House, to finalise the determination on the committee’s composition.
Following these engagements, political parties have been requested to submit the names of Members who will serve on the committee to the National Assembly Secretariat by close of business on Friday, 22 May.
In determining the structure of the Impeachment Committee, the Speaker considered both the constitutional principle of proportional representation and the need for inclusivity and broader participation in the process.
Parliament said the approach seeks to balance proportional representation with inclusivity, ensuring that smaller political parties that may not be accommodated under strict mathematical allocation are also represented.
The committee will consist of 31 Members drawn from 16 political parties represented in the National Assembly.
The allocation is as follows: ANC (9), DA (5), MKP (3), EFF (2), and one member each from the IFP, PA, FF Plus, ActionSA, ACDP, UDM, RISE Mzansi, BOSA, ATM, Al-Jama-ah, NCC and UAT.