President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly defended National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, asserting that her recent legal decisions remain independent and firmly rooted in the constitutional principle of separation of powers. This follows the Speaker’s strategic decision to file a ‘notice to abide’ in the Western Cape High Court, where the President is seeking an urgent interdict to halt parliamentary impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala scandal.
Legal And Political Implications
The Presidency’s push for an interdict aims to pause the work of the impeachment committee while a separate judicial review of the underlying independent panel report continues. While Speaker Didiza has chosen not to oppose this move, the parliamentary committee tasked with the investigation has resolved to formally contest the application in court.
The speaker of Parliament has to do the work that she has to do. She’s independent, and we don’t bring any influence to bear on her, and that is where the separation of powers comes into play.
Speaking in the wake of the growing controversy, President Ramaphosa emphasised that his office plays no role in the internal administrative decisions of the Speaker. The Western Cape High Court is currently scheduled to hear the urgent application on 15 and 16 July 2026.
Opposition Criticism And Constitutional Context
The decision to file a notice to abide has drawn sharp criticism from opposition benches, including the EFF, ATM, and the MK Party, who argue the move skirts the Speaker’s constitutional responsibility to facilitate accountability. This friction arrives as Parliament works to restart the process following a May 2026 Constitutional Court ruling, which declared a previous parliamentary attempt to block the inquiry unconstitutional.
Her conduct continues to undermine Parliament’s integrity and independence, while subordinating it to the factional political interests of the ANC and its President.
The impasse underscores the ongoing tension between Executive authority and the National Assembly’s mandate to hold the President accountable for the 2020 Phala Phala farm robbery. All eyes remain on the upcoming court hearing, which will determine whether the impeachment committee can legally proceed with its work.