{
  "id": 5552483,
  "title": "Didiza rejects MK Party bid to remove Section 89 committee chair",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/didiza-rejects-mk-party-bid-to-remove-section-89-committee-chair",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T12:21:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/didiza-rejects-mk-party-bid-to-remove-section-89-committee-chair/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has refused the MK Party's request to remove Section 89 Impeachment Committee Chairperson, Makashule Gana. The MK Party urged Didiza to reconsider Gana's election, claiming the committee's legitimacy had been called into question. This follows the committee's decision to withdraw its recommendation for Advocate Thandazani Madonsela to lead the evidence team. However, Parliament maintains that Gana's election was carried out in an open, fair, and transparent manner, and the Speaker lacks the authority to overrule the committee's internal democratic choices. Speaker Didiza has reviewed the matter and stated that the election of Mr. Gana was conducted openly, fairly, and transparently, and the Speaker does not have the power to overturn the committee's internal democratic decisions in accordance with the rules. Parliament's spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, confirmed this stance. Additionally, the Western Cape High Court is currently hearing the review application of the Section 89 Independent Panel report.",
  "summary": "Speaker Thoko Didiza has rejected the MK Party call for the removal of Makashule Gana.",
  "key_points": [
    "MK Party claimed Section 89 committee's legitimacy was questioned due to Gana's election.",
    "Speaker Didiza affirmed Gana's election was conducted openly, fairly, and transparently."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}