The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has intensified its call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to voluntarily step aside, arguing that his pursuit of a legal review regarding impeachment proceedings is diverting critical attention from South Africa’s pressing national crises.
MK Party Member of Parliament Thulani Shongwe stated that the party views the President’s move to seek a review of the matter as a delay tactic that wastes public time and resources. Shongwe accused Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC) of failing to prioritize citizens’ welfare and contributing to many of the challenges currently facing the country.
“He is wasting time and he’s a very, very dishonest person,” Shongwe asserted, questioning why Ramaphosa would repeatedly seek to have the matter reviewed. He referenced a prior attempt in 2022 that was abandoned, noting that the President is now seeking another review following a recent court judgment. “If he cares about South Africans, he must just do the right thing. Stop wasting South Africans’ time. Stop wasting money.”
Shongwe addressed arguments that a prior investigative panel noted insufficient time to fully examine certain issues—a point reportedly forming part of the basis for the President’s review request. He countered that the matter has been public for an extended period, and if Ramaphosa was aware of its significance, he had ample opportunity to address it sooner. The MP also recalled that the President declined an invitation to appear before an ad hoc committee to respond to allegations, a decision defended by his party. “If he was an honest person… why was he not willing to come?” Shongwe asked, suggesting the refusal indicated an effort to conceal information.
Regarding the ongoing impeachment process, Shongwe emphasized that the constitutional pathway under Section 89 proceeds directly to the formation of an impeachment committee, and nothing legally prevents that process from advancing. He urged South Africans to monitor whether political parties defend the President due to perceived benefits derived from his office. “If parties are going to defend a president because they have blue lights, they have benefits from that power… they must really watch that space,” he said.
Shongwe also criticized legal maneuvers that allow for successive reviews, describing them as inconsistent with efficient governance and a drain on parliamentary resources needed for service delivery. “You can’t take a matter to judiciary and then again take it on review. After this review there’s another review somewhere… We are wasting people’s time and money,” he stated, adding that MPs assigned to impeachment-related work are needed elsewhere addressing community needs.
The MK Party spokesperson reiterated the call for Ramaphosa to step aside voluntarily, allowing the nation to focus on resolving socioeconomic challenges. “He must just do a simple thing… Allow South Africans to continue fixing [the country],” Shongwe concluded.
