EFF leader Julius Malema
The EFF has warned that the Western Cape High Court's decision to halt Parliament's impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa weakens Parliament's oversight powers and sets a dangerous precedent by allowing those entrusted with public office to delay constitutional accountability through litigation.
The party has filed papers in the Constitutional Court seeking direct leave to appeal the majority judgment, joining the African Transformation Movement (ATM), which also lodged an application following Friday's ruling.
In the High Court's majority judgment, Judges Diane Davis and André le Grange found in Ramaphosa's favour, while Judge Matthew Francis delivered a dissenting judgment.
The High Court interdicted the Section 89 impeachment committee from proceeding with its work pending the outcome of Ramaphosa's application to review the findings of the independent panel that found there was prima facie evidence he may have committed serious violations of the Constitution in relation to the Phala Phala matter. The review application is due to be heard in September.
