Ramaphosa turns accountability into a legal maze
President Cyril Ramaphosa is entitled to defend his rights, but his repeated legal challenges over the Phala Phala investigation risk turning constitutional due process into a tool for delaying accountability, argues the writer.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has become a master of turning accountability into a legal labyrinth. His objection to Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as Chief Evidence Leader in the Phala Phala inquiry is part of a pattern of using the courts to avoid accountability. First, the Section 89 report was politically buried, then taken on review by the Constitutional Court.
When Parliament prepared to act on it, public proceedings had to be interdicted. Now, the President has challenged Madonsela's suitability as Evidence Leader, threatening court action if she is confirmed. Ramaphosa argues that Madonsela may harbor bias due to his replacement as a presidential designee at the Judicial Service Commission in 2022.
However, Madonsela's response to Ramaphosa's submission reveals a more plausible explanation. Madonsela thanked Ramaphosa for advance notice, described serving on the JSC as an honor, and expressed no personal dealings or stigma. Ramaphosa's objection to Madonsela's appointment raises concerns about manufacturing bias from biography rather than demonstrating a genuine conflict.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
