The Citizen Aug 19
Ramaphosa’s objection to impeachment committee evidence leader sparks opposition backlash
citizen.co.za/news/ramaphosas-objection-impeachment-committee-evidence-leader-sparks-opposition-backlash/
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Ramaphosa Challenges Madonsela’s Impeachment RoleThe committee received his objection Tuesday night; on Wednesday, it sought a legal opinion, leaving Madonsela’s appointment unresolved.
Key FactsAug 19, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
- Ramaphosa based his formal objection on the possibility that Madonsela could be conflicted because he removed him from the JSC in 2022 and because of his earlier legal advice to the ANC on the impeachment matter.
- Opposition parties, including the MK party, called the objection a delaying tactic, while ANC representatives abstained from voting on the appointment because of Madonsela’s prior involvement.
- The committee resolved on Wednesday to obtain a legal opinion, leaving Madonsela’s appointment as chief evidence leader unresolved for the time being.
- On 12 January 2026, the Constitutional Court dismissed Ramaphosa’s urgent bid to appeal, while a review of findings concerning the theft of approximately US$580,000 is scheduled before the Western Cape High Court from 2 to 4 September.
Ordinarily, a legal practitioner ought not to act in a matter that is substantially the same as one in which he or she previously advised a former client… particularly where confidential or privileged information may have been disclosed.— Ramaphosa's warning in his written submissions to the National Assembly about Adv. Thandazani Madonsela's appointment as chief evidence leader.
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process for charging a public official with legal offenses by the legislature(s)
someone with the authority to affect the conduct of others; who have the responsibility of leading
News on this topic
Madonsela hits back at Ramaphosa’s challenge to his impeachment role: Evidence leader says committee found no grounds for recusal after reviewing his history
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-08-19-madonsela-hits-back-at-ramaphosas-challenge-to-his-impeachment-role/
Madonsela hits back at Ramaphosa’s challenge to his impeachment role: Evidence leader says committee found no grounds for recusal after reviewing his history
timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-19-madonsela-hits-back-at-ramaphosas-challenge-to-his-impeachment-role/
businesstech.co.za Aug 19
Ramaphosa launches another fight: President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally objected to the appointment of of the Evidence Leader of the Impeachment Committee.
businesstech.co.za/news/government/870882/ramaphosa-launches-another-fight/
More articles on this subject
Previous
EWN Aug 20
Impeachment inquiry: Chair would rather err on side of caution in evidence leader debacle
ewn.co.za/2026/08/20/impeachment-inquiry-chair-would-rather-err-on-side-of-caution-in-evidence-leader-debacle
Madonsela’s ANC ties may compromise impeachment process, Ramaphosa warns Didiza : President cites potential conflict due to advocate’s prior ANC work ...
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-08-19-madonselas-anc-ties-may-compromise-impeachment-process-ramaphosa-warns-didiza/
Madonsela rebuts president’s objections to his impeachment evidence leader appointment
news24.com/politics/madonsela-rebuts-presidents-objections-to-his-impeachment-evidence-leader-appointment-20260820-0488
Madonsela’s ANC ties may compromise impeachment process, Ramaphosa warns Didiza: Concerns raised about confidentiality and fairness in impeachment proceedings
ebx.sh/90PFBh
eNCA Aug 19
Ramaphosa objects to Madonsela's appointment as impeachment evidence leader: President Cyril Ramaphosa has objected to the appointment of Advocate Thandazani ...
enca.com/news-top-stories/ramaphosa-objects-madonselas-appointment-impeachment-evidence-leader
Madonsela’s ANC ties may compromise impeachment process, Ramaphosa warns Didiza : President cites potential conflict due to advocate’s prior ANC work ...
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-08-19-madonselas-anc-ties-may-compromise-impeachment-process-ramaphosa-warns-didiza/
Ramaphosa objects to impeachment committee evidence leader: Opposition parties accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of employing delaying tactics after he wrote to ...
news24.com/politics/ramaphosa-objects-to-impeachment-committee-evidence-leader-20260819-0571
EWN Aug 19
Ramaphosa objects to Parly Impeachment Committee's evidence leader suggestion: Among the reasons offered by the President is that he removed Advocate Thandazani ...
ewn.co.za/2026/08/19/ramaphosa-objects-to-parly-impeachment-committees-evidence-leader-suggestion
EWN Aug 19
Ramaphosa Section 89 inquiry delayed as committee seeks legal advice on evidence leader
ewn.co.za/2026/08/19/ramaphosa-section-89-inquiry-delayed-as-committee-seeks-legal-advice-on-evidence-leader
Madonsela hits back at Ramaphosa’s challenge to his impeachment role: Evidence leader says committee found no grounds for recusal after reviewing his history
ebx.sh/yADKKO
EWN Aug 19
Impeachment Committee: Political parties given more time to consider draft terms of reference
ewn.co.za/2026/08/19/impeachment-committee-political-parties-given-more-time-to-consider-draft-terms-of-reference
Impeachment committee: Ramaphosa objects to evidence leader: The President’s spokesperson dismissed claims of delaying tactics, saying some politicians used ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-19-ramaphosa-objects-to-evidence-leader-over-grudge-claim-as-litigation-threats-loom/
/file/attachments/orphans/134726061_174096.jpg)
The Citizen Aug 19
Ramaphosa’s objection to impeachment committee evidence leader sparks opposition backlash
citizen.co.za/news/ramaphosas-objection-impeachment-committee-evidence-leader-sparks-opposition-backlash/
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Previous
EWN Oct 14
Parliament defends decision to drop Madonsela as Phala Phala evidence leader: Madonsela offered legal advice to the African National Congress (ANC) on matters ...
ewn.co.za/2026/10/14/parliament-defends-decision-to-drop-madonsela-as-phala-phala-evidence-leader
WATCH LIVE | EFF section 89 impeachment committee chair court challenge : Party and legal association contest removal of Madonsela as evidence leader
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-10-14-watch-live-eff-section-89-impeachment-committee-chair-court-challenge/
The Citizen Oct 12
High Court set for showdown over Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry [VIDEO]: The EFF, ALPA are challenging the Section 89 Impeachment Committee's reversal of Chief ...
citizen.co.za/news/high-court-set-showdown-ramaphosa-impeachment-inquiry/
![High Court set for showdown over Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry [VIDEO]](https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ramaphosa-Phala-Phala-Section-89-impeachment-committee-evidence-leader.jpg)
Phala Phala: Court bid says Ramaphosa had no right to block Madonsela: Parliament’s recommendation of Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as evidence leader in the Phala ...
iol.co.za/news/2026-09-09-phala-phala-court-bid-says-ramaphosa-had-no-right-to-block-madonsela/
Key FactsCourt Challenge Contests Withdrawal of Madonsela Recommendation
Sep 9, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- ALPA filed an urgent application Tuesday, arguing Ramaphosa had no legal right to challenge Madonsela’s appointment.
- The EFF had filed a separate urgent application on Monday seeking Madonsela’s reinstatement.
- On Wednesday, the committee is due to decide whether to oppose the applications and recommend a new evidence leader.
- Madonsela was recommended on August 5 by nine votes to seven, with 11 abstentions; six days later, the recommendation was withdrawn by 18 votes to nine.
But as I will demonstrate, [Ramaphosa] has no such right in law.— Sthembiso Mbhele, chair of the African Legal Professionals Association (ALPA), said in the founding affidavit that Ramaphosa had claimed a power he does not have.
MPs accuse GNU of ‘railroading’ impeachment committee as Malema heads to court: Opposition slams 'GNU bloc' for blocking evidence leader in Ramaphosa probe
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-09-09-mps-accuse-gnu-of-railroading-impeachment-committee-as-malema-heads-to-court/
EWN Sep 09
Impeachment Committee facing legal challenges over rescinding evidence leader recommendation
ewn.co.za/2026/09/09/impeachment-committee-facing-legal-challenges-over-rescinding-evidence-leader-recommendation
MPs go to war over evidence leader as Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry stalls: The parliamentary impeachment committee has voted 19-9 to oppose an urgent interdict ...
news24.com/politics/mps-go-to-war-over-evidence-leader-as-ramaphosa-impeachment-inquiry-stalls-20260909-0706
Paid articlePaywallEFF files urgent application over removal of Madonsela as impeachment evidence leader
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-09-07-eff-files-urgent-application-over-removal-of-madonsela-as-impeachment-evidence-leader/
WATCH LIVE | Court hears Ramaphosa’s review application of section 89 Phala Phala report
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-09-02-watch-live-court-hears-ramaphosas-review-application-of-section-89-phala-phala-report/
Key FactsSection 89 Committee Withdraws Madonsela Recommendation
Sep 1, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- On Tuesday, the committee rescinded the recommendation by 18 votes to nine; Madonsela had not been appointed.
- The nomination process reopened the same day, allowing political parties to submit new names by Friday.
- Committee chair Makashule Gana said Madonsela had not explicitly disclosed that his previous client was the ANC.
- The committee will meet again on September 8 to settle on a name.
We cannot make assumptions about what the court will decide.— Makashule Gana, committee chair, at the committee's first media briefing
Impeachment committee ‘alive’ to lengthy litigation as Ramaphosa wins battle against evidence leader
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-09-01-impeachment-committee-alive-to-lengthy-litigation-as-ramaphosa-wins-battle-against-evidence-leader/
Impeachment Committee rescinds Madonsela’s nomination as evidence leader: The Impeachment Committee has rescinded its decision to nominate advocate Thandazani ...
news24.com/politics/impeachment-committee-rescinds-madonselas-nomination-as-evidence-leader-20260901-0704
Parliament’s Impeachment Committee drops evidence leader; Ramaphosa’s Section 89 panel report court review starts
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-01-parliaments-impeachment-committee-drops-evidence-leader-ramaphosas-section-89-panel-report-court-review-starts/
/file/attachments/orphans/cyril-impeach_326982.jpg)
Key FactsParliament Drops Madonsela as Impeachment Evidence Leader
Sep 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- The committee voted 18 to nine against continuing with Madonsela as evidence leader.
- New nominations are due by Friday, with a decision and terms of reference scheduled for next Wednesday.
- An interdict issued in July continues preventing the committee from holding public impeachment hearings.
- The Western Cape High Court is scheduled to hear Ramaphosa’s challenge to the 2022 report for three days from 2 September.
The President is entitled to procedural fairness, but he is not entitled to legal infinity.— Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA MP, during the impeachment committee debate on Tuesday
The Citizen Sep 02
MK Party accuses Section 89 impeachment committee of ‘majoritarian abuse’ after Madonsela reversal
citizen.co.za/news/mk-party-accuses-section-89-impeachment-committee-majoritarian-abuse-after-madonsela-reversal/
‘Held to ransom’: MPs slam Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala ‘Stalingrad’ tactics: Debate intensifies as opposition claims president is delaying impeachment process
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EWN Aug 09
Speaker Didiza refers letter from ANC’s Mbalula to Impeachment Committee chair: The ANC disclosed that Advocate Thandazani Madonsela, recommended by the ...
ewn.co.za/2026/08/09/speaker-didiza-refers-letter-from-anc-s-mbalula-to-impeachment-committee-chair
EWN Aug 07
Impeachment Committee: ANC plans to object recommendation of Adv. Madonsela as evidence leader
ewn.co.za/2026/08/07/impeachment-committee-anc-plans-to-object-recommendation-of-adv-madonsela-as-evidence-leader
Impeachment committee names evidence leader to be recommended to Parliament: Thandazani Madonsela, SC, will be recommended to Parliament as the evidence leader ...
news24.com/politics/impeachment-committee-names-evidence-leader-to-be-recommended-to-parliament-20260805-0519
Key FactsImpeachment Committee debates evidence threshold in Phala Phala case
Aug 5, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za
- The committee agreed to adopt a parliamentary legal opinion stating that the Constitution and the law should guide the standard of proof.
- The legal advisers recommend using the procedure followed in the 2022 Section 194 inquiry into the impeachment of former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane when assessing the allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- The ANC suggested that the committee might decide not to launch a full inquiry after reviewing the available evidence, while the EFF rejected this and said the Section 89 process was already well underway.
- ActionSA’s Athol Trollip supported the balance of probabilities rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt, while MK parliamentary leader John Hlophe called for clear definitions for assessing the evidence.
We must apply the law. We must listen to the evidence, and based on the evidence that we hear and based on the balance of probability as opposed to beyond reasonable doubt.— Athol Trollip (ActionSA), speaking during the Impeachment Committee debate on the standard of proof
EWN Aug 05
Impeachment Committee to consider legal opinion on right to compel Ramaphosa to testify
ewn.co.za/2026/08/05/impeachment-committee-to-consider-legal-opinion-on-right-to-compel-ramaphosa-to-testify
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