Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment committee voted on 1 September 2026 to rescind its recommendation of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader in the Phala Phala inquiry, following an objection from President Cyril Ramaphosa. The vote passed 18 to nine, and the committee reopened nominations, giving political parties until Friday to submit new names.
According to Business Day and IOL, Ramaphosa objected to Madonsela’s appointment on 19 August 2026, prompting the committee to reconsider. The specific legal basis for the objection has not been independently confirmed, and unverified reports about a prior professional relationship between Madonsela and the ANC could not be substantiated by this publication as of 2 September.
Committee chair Makashule Gana said the committee chose to rescind the decision rather than wait for the court’s ruling on Ramaphosa’s review. “We cannot make assumptions about what the court will decide,” Gana said, adding: “Our focus is to ensure that when there is legal certainty the committee is ready to proceed.”
Parliamentary legal adviser Michael Prince said the information before the committee did not establish an actual conflict of interest involving Madonsela. “There appears to be no evidence before the impeachment committee that demonstrates any personal animosity between the president and advocate Madonsela,” Prince told the committee.
Prince also clarified the evidence leader’s limited function, noting the role involves organising and presenting evidence rather than deciding outcomes. “The evidence leader does not determine the facts, make final findings, vote on the recommendations or decide the outcome required,” he said.
The Western Cape High Court was scheduled to begin hearing Ramaphosa’s review of the Section 89 independent panel report on 2 September 2026, with proceedings set to run through 4 September. An interim interdict granted on 24 July 2026, as reported by SABC News and the Mail & Guardian, currently prevents the committee from holding public hearings while the review is pending.
The Section 89 panel report relates to allegations surrounding Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, and its review could determine whether impeachment proceedings advance. A successful review could invalidate the panel’s findings, while a dismissal would allow the committee to resume its inquiry once the interdict is lifted.
The court’s ruling on Ramaphosa’s review application remains pending, and the committee’s new nomination deadline for evidence leader falls on Friday. Cape Flats News will monitor the High Court proceedings and update this report as developments emerge.
Reporting by Thandiwe Nkosi for Cape Flats News