CAPE TOWN – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has formally filed a motion seeking the removal of National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, citing her handling of the Phala Phala impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. EFF Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe defended the party’s decision, arguing that Didiza failed to fulfill her constitutional obligations by filing a notice to abide rather than actively opposing the President’s court application.
The political fallout stems from President Ramaphosa’s recent legal maneuvers, which include a review application and an interdict challenging the Section 89 panel report regarding the Phala Phala saga. While the chairperson of the impeachment committee, Makashule Gana, has already filed an opposing affidavit to challenge the President’s application, Speaker Didiza opted for a different route. According to the EFF, Didiza ignored initial legal advice that directed her to formally oppose the review, choosing instead to abide by the court process.
Speaking on the matter, Omphile Maotwe described the Speaker’s actions as reckless and a dereliction of duty. He argued that Didiza reduced the National Assembly to a mere “PA to the executive” by prioritizing the African National Congress (ANC) party line over the independence of Parliament. Maotwe pointed out that Didiza, while still a regular Member of Parliament, had originally voted against the independent panel report before it was debated. However, he noted that once the matter reached the impeachment committee, the overwhelming majority of members voted to oppose the President’s review after seeking legal counsel.
Maotwe alleged that a legal opinion tabled on June 18 clearly advised Didiza to oppose the application. Instead, he claimed she sought a second, conflicting legal opinion from a former ANC treasurer-general solely to justify her decision to abide. By doing so, the EFF argues, she failed to protect the integrity of Parliament as an independent arm of the state, a duty mandated by Section 42 of the Constitution.
The ANC has pushed back against the criticism. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula recently defended Didiza, asserting that she had maintained neutrality in the matter. Maotwe dismissed this defense, arguing that Mbalula’s comments merely confirmed that the ANC was closing ranks. He emphasized that the ANC no longer holds an outright majority in Parliament and criticized the party for ignoring the counsel of its elders to entangle the legislature in the President’s legal battles. Maotwe also noted that Didiza has historically opposed interdicts in previous high-profile legal cases, making her decision to abide in this instance highly inconsistent.
The EFF claims it is actively lobbying other political parties to support the removal motion. Maotwe noted that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has already condemned the Speaker’s conduct during a recent impeachment committee meeting, joining the EFF in criticizing her refusal to oppose the President’s interdict. The EFF maintains that no law-abiding member of Parliament should stand by while the executive challenges the constitution.
The EFF has written an official letter to the Deputy Speaker, urging the convening of an urgent special sitting of the National Assembly to address the motion. Although Parliament is currently in recess and not scheduled to return until August, the EFF insists the matter cannot wait. Maotwe highlighted that the deadline for the Speaker to file opposing papers in the President’s review application is July 7. The party is demanding swift action to replace Didiza with someone who will respect the Constitution and hold the executive accountable.
