Opposition parties to table no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa

Ten opposition parties have joined forces and are planning to table a motion of no confidence in parliament against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The forum of opposition parties agrees that, in addition to the section 89 impeachment process, we will request the DA, the official leader of the opposition, to table a motion of no-confidence against Mr Ramaphosa on the basis of the prima facie evidence that he committed serious violations of the constitution and laws of the republic,” the forum of all opposition parties represented in parliament said on Saturday.

Speaking after a meeting in Ekurhuleni on Friday, the forum said it had deliberated on measures it should take to hold Ramaphosa accountable after the Ngcobo panel report on the Phala Phala saga.

The parties said they had noted the section 89 panel report, headed by retired chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, which found there was prima facie evidence of serious misconduct and gross violation of the constitution by Ramaphosa.

These findings by the panel, they said, are what the rules of parliament require for the impeachment committee to be set up.

“If the DA, which is the second largest political party in parliament, is unable to table the motion of no-confidence, the EFF, which is the third largest political party in parliament, will table the option of no-confidence against Mr Cyril Ramaphosa before the sitting of the National Assembly on [Tuesday].”

The forum agreed that parliament’s sitting on Tuesday, when parties are expected to debate and vote on the report, must ensure a resolution is taken to set up an impeachment committee.

“All of us, as political parties, agree on the following: that parliament must be physically convened to vote for the impeachment process to commence when we convene on [Tuesday].”

The physical meeting in parliament is to avoid a situation in which represented political parties lock MPs in private venues that are not protected and secure for parliament and all of its members.

“All political parties and all MPs must vote for the impeachment process to commence because not doing so is not sensible and will not pass the rationality test.

“Voting against the section 89 independent panel’s recommendations will be a violation of parliament’s constitutional obligation to hold the executive accountable, and previous rulings of the Constitutional Court have condemned parliament’s lack of oversight and vigilance over the executive.

“The forum of opposition political parties will table a proposal to the speaker, the chief whips forum, and the National Assembly programming committee that will result in the schedule of parliament being extended to accommodate an exhaustive approach and process on the section 89 impeachment process because it cannot be delayed any further.”

The forum called on South Africans to “defend” the constitution and the rule of law, claiming the alleged delays in the Phala Phala investigation by law enforcement agencies were part of an “attempted cover up”.

“We reiterate our call that, for the sake of justice, transparency, and fairness, Mr Ramaphosa must step down to allow the investigations to happen without fear of reprisals or repercussions. His continued presence in office constitutes interference because all the heads of investigating agencies are presidential appointees.”

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