RAMAPHOSA OBJECTS TO MADONSELA AS EVIDENCE LEADER IN PHALA PHALA IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally objected to the proposed appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela SC as chief evidence leader in Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment inquiry, arguing that there is a potential conflict of interest.
The objection introduces a fresh hurdle into Parliament’s preparations for the inquiry linked to the Phala Phala matter.
Ramaphosa submitted his representations to Parliament on Tuesday night, with the Impeachment Committee informed of the objection during its meeting on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
Ramaphosa raises two concerns
Ramaphosa has raised two principal concerns about Madonsela’s proposed appointment.
The first relates to their previous dealings involving the Judicial Service Commission.
Ramaphosa appointed Madonsela to the JSC but later removed him as his appointee following the 2022 interviews for the position of Chief Justice.
The president argues that this history could create a perception that Madonsela may harbour a grievance against him.
His second concern involves legal work Madonsela previously performed for the ANC parliamentary caucus relating to the impeachment matter.
Ramaphosa argues that this could also create an actual or perceived conflict if Madonsela were subsequently appointed to lead evidence in the inquiry concerning the president.
Madonsela had disclosed during Parliament’s selection process that he had previously received a brief from a political party study group with an interest in the impeachment matter.
Committee considers Ramaphosa objection
Impeachment Committee chairperson Makashule Gana confirmed that Ramaphosa’s office submitted the objection.
The committee is considering the president’s representations and consulting Parliament’s legal services on how to proceed.
Madonsela emerged as the committee’s preferred candidate earlier this month after receiving nine votes, compared with seven for Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC. Eleven members abstained.
The latest development could complicate the committee’s efforts to finalise preparations for the inquiry.
Phala Phala battle continues
The parliamentary process stems from the long-running controversy surrounding the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020 and subsequent questions over the circumstances surrounding the money and the handling of the theft.
The impeachment process has generated years of political and legal battles.
The latest dispute does not determine the merits of the allegations against Ramaphosa.
Instead, Parliament must now determine how to deal with the president’s objection to the person recommended to lead evidence during the inquiry.
That decision could have significant consequences for the timetable and conduct of the Section 89 process.
