Impeachment committee extends search for evidence leader as legal battle looms

Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee has extended the deadline for nominating an evidence leader after more than half of the senior advocates initially proposed indicated they were unavailable to take on the role.

The committee, which is probing whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer over the 2020 Phala Phala scandal, agreed on Wednesday to give political parties until Friday to submit additional nominations and work towards consensus.

Committee chairperson, Makashule Gana, said only four advocates, Kate Hofmeyr SC, Ismael Jamie SC, Pule Seleka SC and Vuyani Ngalwana SC, have confirmed they are available to lead the presentation of evidence before the committee.

Several other nominees, including Advocates Doron Goldberg SC and Marumo Moerane SC, declined the nomination, citing prior commitments. Advocate Eshed Cohen was deemed ineligible because he does not meet the committee’s minimum requirement of 15 years’ experience. Advocate Zinzile Matebese said she is available but already has commitments until November.

The committee noted concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Ngalwana, who was nominated by the uMkhoto weSizwe (MK) Party. However, he denied being conflicted, despite questions over his previous involvement in litigation relating the City of Tshwane.

The committee is expected to recommend a preferred candidate to Parliament, where the evidence leader will be formally appointed to guide witness testimony and the presentation of evidence.

Gana said political parties have also been given until Friday evening to reach an agreement on the committee’s terms of reference before they are finalised next week.

“We will also have our legal advisors look into the issue of the president appearing or testifying before the committee. Should the president choose not to testify before the committee. Because at all times we need to be on the right side of the law,” added Gana. 

The committee also plans to invite members of the independent panel, chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, to brief MPs on its findings that there may be sufficient evidence for Parliament to consider whether President Ramaphosa committed a serious violation of the Constitution or the law in relation to the Phala Phala matter.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape High Court is expected to deliver judgment on Friday in Ramaphosa’s urgent application to suspend the committee’s work pending the outcome of his review of the independent panel’s report.

IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE FOR SECTION 89 INQUIRY MEETING OUTCOMES

On the appointment of Evidence Leader and Terms of Reference pic.twitter.com/seAuXHQyDI

— Makashule Gana – RISE Mzansi🇿🇦 (@Makashule) July 22, 2026

1/ HAPPENING NOW: @ParliamentofRSA’s Impeachment Committee for the #SECTION89inquiry now discussing the list of proposed names for appointment of evidence leader. pic.twitter.com/x7A85HBz28

— Impeachment Committee on Section 89 Enquiry (@Impeachment_S89) July 22, 2026

♦️ Listen♦️

Commander-in-Chief and President of the EFF, and Member of the Impeachment Committee, Hon. @Julius_S_Malema, objects to the Chair’s proposal to delegate the nomination of an evidence leader to staff members, stating that this was never the agreement of the Committee.… pic.twitter.com/4vlFXBZIo1

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 22, 2026