President Cyril Ramaphosa will face Members of Parliament at 2pm today for oral questions in the National Assembly, as pressure builds over Phala Phala and other governance issues.
Image: GCIS
Things heated up in Parliament on Thursday as President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to answer oral questions from Members of Parliament, with the MKP and the EFF walking out.
Speaker Thokozile Didiza ruled that members could not speak on matters outside the official agenda.
Many of them wanted to address the Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala saga.
The sitting comes after a Constitutional Court ruling that directed Parliament to establish a process to determine whether impeachment proceedings against the president should be considered, keeping the Phala Phala farm theft matter in focus.
Ramaphosa is expected to brief MPs on Operation Prosper, the government’s military deployment targeting gang violence and illegal mining, as well as efforts to attract investment and reduce unemployment.
However, opposition parties are likely to shift attention back to the Phala Phala scandal, arguing that unanswered questions continue to affect public trust in the presidency.
Questions are also expected over allegations linked to Social Development Minister Sisi Tolashe, with MPs raising concerns about accountability and leadership within her department.
At the same time, SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola remains under scrutiny following his suspension and ongoing court processes, which have raised wider questions about stability in the country’s policing leadership.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for stronger action on Tolashe facing allegations, saying government credibility depends on accountability and clear consequences.
“The allegations now facing Minister Tolashe can no longer be treated as minor political controversy or an internal party matter.
“What began with serious questions about vehicles allegedly donated for the benefit of the ANC Women’s League and reportedly registered in the names of the Minister’s children, has now expanded into a broader set of allegations involving possible abuse of public office, possible misleading of Parliament,” the DA said in a statement.
The party stressed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) cannot be in a bad position because of an individual.
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