The parliamentary committee investigating whether President Cyril Ramaphosa should be impeached says it will summon him to testify if he refuses to appear voluntarily before its Section 89 inquiry.
The committee resolved on Wednesday that Ramaphosa will be requested to appear before it, but agreed that he will not be the first witness called. Members said the inquiry must first establish a case before the President is required to respond.
Committee chairperson Makashule Gana said the committee hoped the President would cooperate voluntarily.
“We hope that the matter will not reach the point where the President must be summoned. However, if he refuses to appear, the committee will have to summon him,” Gana said.
The committee also resolved to recommend the appointment of Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader for the impeachment inquiry.
“Now that the committee has made its recommendation, the matter will be referred to the Secretary to Parliament to make the appointment,” Gana said.
“The committee recommends a candidate, after which Parliament’s administrative processes take effect.”
Members also considered the draft terms of reference that will govern the inquiry and proposed further amendments before the document is sent to Parliament’s Legal Services Division for refinement.
According to Gana, the legal team will ensure consistency in language and drafting before the revised document is returned to the committee for approval.
“This will include ensuring consistency in the use of language and applying a uniform drafting style,” he said.
Gana said the committee was now close to finalising the terms of reference that will guide the Section 89 impeachment inquiry.