CAPE TOWN — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly condemned National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for declining to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legal application to interdict the Phala Phala impeachment committee. The opposition party accuses the Speaker of disregarding the will of the 31-member panel and abandoning her constitutional duty to protect Parliament’s institutional integrity.
The clash centers on the President’s bid to halt the impeachment proceedings regarding the Phala Phala farm scandal, a move the DA argues undermines the Constitutional Court’s mandate.
A Pattern of “Troubling” Conduct
DA Parliamentary Leader George Michalakis outlined the party’s grievances, describing the Speaker’s recent decisions as deeply troubling and indicative of a broader pattern that compromises her impartiality. Michalakis highlighted three specific incidents that raise questions about whether Didiza is acting in the best interests of Parliament or aligning with the ruling party and the President.
First, he pointed to her outright refusal to oppose the President’s interdict application. Second, he cited her decision last week in the rules committee to delay the matter of determining who is “fit and proper” to serve on the impeachment committee. Third, Michalakis raised concerns regarding Didiza’s meeting with African National Congress (ANC) lawyers at Luthuli House on the Monday immediately following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Phala Phala matter.
The Legal Standoff and Institutional Integrity
Addressing the legal nuances of the dispute, Michalakis argued that the President’s interdict does not deal with the actual merits of the impeachment process. Instead, he asserts that the application seeks to prevent Parliament from executing the work mandated by the Constitutional Court.
According to the DA, the Speaker is the primary legal representative of Parliament in all court matters. Because the impeachment committee lacks the *locus standi* (legal standing) to oppose the interdict independently, Michalakis argues it is Didiza’s primary job to defend the institution in court. He raised critical concerns about the committee’s current predicament, questioning who will bear the legal fees if the Speaker refuses to represent the body, noting that the committee is merely an extension of the National Assembly.
Michalakis emphasized that after six years, South Africans deserve to know the truth about what happened at Phala Phala. He stated that if the President is innocent, he should prove it through the parliamentary process rather than utilizing legal mechanisms to stall the court-directed hearing.
The ANC Defends the Speaker’s Neutrality
In defense of the Speaker, ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli maintained that Didiza’s decision was rooted in a need for strict impartiality. Ntuli explained that the impeachment committee had initially wanted the Speaker to join them in opposing the President’s interdict.
However, Ntuli stated that Didiza chose to “abide” by the legal process to avoid being dragged into a potential dispute of facts between the committee and the President, particularly with a review process scheduled for September. Ntuli asserted that the Speaker must remain a neutral final arbiter rather than an active participant in the dispute, allowing her to intervene objectively if needed later.
GNU Dynamics and Political Fallout
The standoff has inevitably raised questions about the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA is deeply integrated into current parliamentary structures, chairing several committees and holding the Deputy Speaker position. When pressed on whether this deep involvement in “palace politics” would lead the DA to withdraw from the GNU if pressured, Michalakis firmly denied that the party is holding onto power at all costs.
He emphasized that being a constructive partner in the GNU requires holding public figures accountable. Michalakis stated that the DA will hold President Ramaphosa accountable if he is found guilty in the impeachment hearing, and asserted that the Speaker must also be held accountable for her current conduct.
Looking ahead to the potential political fallout, Michalakis addressed the hypothetical scenario of President Ramaphosa’s impeachment. He stated that the DA remains willing to work with any candidate from the ANC—or any other party—who ascribes to democratic values, upholds the rule of law, and is committed to taking South Africa forward.
While acknowledging that the longevity of the GNU is not solely up to the DA to decide, Michalakis concluded that the party will continue to prioritize accountability and principle over political expediency, insisting that the current coalition can survive the Phala Phala impeachment process if the President truly welcomes being held accountable.
