Ramaphosa objects to Madonsela appointment as impeachment evidence leader

President Cyril Ramaphosa has thrown another spanner into Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process, objecting to the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela, as the committee’s preferred evidence leader.

In a letter submitted on Tuesday to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the impeachment committee, Ramaphosa argued that Madonsela presents a potential conflict of interest that could undermine his ability to lead evidence impartially.

The President referred to the committee’s draft terms of reference, which require the evidence leader to have no actual or perceived conflict of interest, a requirement he believes Madonsela does not meet.

“I am of the view that Adv. Thandazani Madonsela SC does not satisfy this requirement,” said Ramaphosa.

The President cited his decision to remove Madonsela as an appointee to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following the 2022 interviews for the appointment of a Chief Justice.

Ramaphosa says this could create a “reasonable apprehension” that Madonsela may hold a grievance against him, which could influence his conduct during the impeachment proceedings.

The President also raised concerns about Madonsela’s previous engagement with the African National Congress (ANC), which has already caused divisions within the governing party.

ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, previously confirmed that the party had consulted Madonsela on matters relating to the impeachment process.

Mbalula said the engagement raised ethical concerns about Madonsela’s possible appointment, adding that the ANC abstained when the committee voted for him.

[WATCH] ANC BRIEFED THE MEDIA ON THE SIDELINES OF THE ANC NEC MEETING https://t.co/6cAEp3iwFF

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) August 7, 2026

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa says he is unaware of the extent of the information Madonsela received from the ANC or the nature of the legal advice he provided.

He argues that legal practitioners would ordinarily be expected to avoid acting in a substantially similar matter where they had previously advised a former client involved in the same proceedings, particularly where confidential or privileged information may have been disclosed.

The objection has now placed the committee’s preferred candidate at the centre of another legal and political standoff.

Committee chairperson, Makashule Gana, says the Speaker had already authorised the committee to proceed with the appointment. However, following the President’s intervention, the committee has turned to its legal advisers for guidance.

BREAKING: The Chairperson of the #Impeachment Committee for the #Section89Enquiry, Mr @Makashule Gana just confirmed that he received a letter last night from President Cyril #Ramaphosa’s Office objecting to the appointment of Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as the Evidence Leader… pic.twitter.com/U5VswIkAqj

— Impeachment Committee on Section 89 Enquiry (@Impeachment_S89) August 19, 2026

During Wednesday’s meeting, 19 committee members voted in favour of obtaining a legal opinion on Ramaphosa’s concerns before making a final decision. 

“Legal services already has the letter. They will apply their mind and provide me, as the chairperson and also the committee with the options available, given the issues that have been raised by the president,” Gana said.

The move has, however, not gone down well with some political parties.

EFF leader and Member of Parliament, Julius Malema, questioned why the committee should delay the appointment for another legal opinion, arguing that the responsibility to appoint an evidence leader rests with the committee.

ActionSA MP, Lerato Ngobeni, also criticised the delay, arguing that concerns about Madonsela had already been raised before the vote.

“Mischievous things are going on in this process,” said Ngobeni.

She argued that the ANC had enough opportunity to put forward its preferred candidate before the vote, but ultimately abstained from supporting Madonsela.

Madonsela was voted by committee members earlier this month as the preferred candidate to lead evidence in the impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa.

The committee remains in the preparatory stages of the process, with public hearings halted by the Western Cape High Court as legal battles surrounding the Section 89 independent panel report continue.

Ramaphosa’s latest intervention now means the committee must determine whether Madonsela can proceed as evidence leader or whether another candidate should be considered. 

HAPPENING NOW: Following deliberations and a vote on the letter of Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s objection to the #Impeachment Committee for #Section89enquiry’s recommended evidence leader, the committee resolved to refer the letter for a legal opinion to outline its options.… pic.twitter.com/12zIl8HKx0

— Impeachment Committee on Section 89 Enquiry (@Impeachment_S89) August 19, 2026