A request by the African Transformation Movement’s (ATM)
for Parliament to set up an inquiry into the Phala Phala saga will be referred
to an independent panel.
This was confirmed by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula on Friday.
The ATM submitted a proposed motion to Mapisa-Nqakula in
June, requesting an enquiry into the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Speaker had initially declined the Motion as it was not
compliant with the applicable Rules of the National Assembly. Following engagements with the Member, to
ensure compliance of the motion with the Rules, an amended version of the
motion was submitted in July 2022.
The President is facing allegations of money laundering,
among others, related to the theft of a large amount of foreign currency at his
Phala Phala farm in 2020.
The panel will now decide if Ramaphosa has a case to
answer.
"The function of the independent panel is to conduct a
preliminary assessment of the proposed motion, and in so doing, must in terms of
Rule 129G, make a recommendation to the Speaker within 30 days, whether
sufficient evidence exists to show the president committed any of the
violations specified in the motion,” says Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto
Mothapo.
“A panel referral therefore does not constitute a
parliamentary impeachment process, but an assessment of the supplied evidence
by legal and constitutional experts to determine if, in terms of the
Constitution, it is adequate to warrant a further process,” he added.
Mothapo said the Speaker will request all political parties
represented in the NA to nominate, on or before 16h00 on Wednesday 1 September
2022, candidates to serve on the Panel.
‘’Each nomination must be in writing and must include the
full names of the nominees and a motivation focusing particularly on the requirements
of the applicable Rules,’’ he added.
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PICTURE - @PresidencyZA: President Cyril RamaphosaDone By: Mitchum George
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