Rise Mzansi Member of Parliament Makashule Gana has been elected chairperson of Parliament’s Phala Phala Impeachment Committee.
Gana secured 19 votes, defeating African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Dr Wonderboy Mahlatsi, who received 12 votes, during the committee’s first meeting on Monday.
The committee was established following a Constitutional Court ruling directing Parliament to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to recommend the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa from office over the Phala Phala matter.
The case relates to the theft of more than $580,000 from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo in 2020.
Gana was nominated by ANC MP Mikateko Mahlaule, while Mahlatsi was nominated by EFF MP Omphile Maotwe.
Gana’s nomination was supported by the ANC, DA, Patriotic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus. Mahlatsi received backing from the EFF, MK Party, ActionSA, Build One South Africa (BOSA), ATM and United Traditional Alliance.
The 31-member committee consists of representatives from 16 political parties in Parliament. The ANC holds the largest share with nine members, followed by the DA with five. The MK Party has three representatives, while the EFF has two.
The committee is expected to reassess the Phala Phala report and investigate allegations linked to the scandal before deciding whether there are grounds for further parliamentary action against the president.
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