ConCourt dismisses Phala Phala interdict appeal

ConCourt dismisses Phala Phala interdict appeal The Constitutional Court has dismissed an application brought by the African Transformation Movement (ATM), asking for direct access to appeal the halting of the Impeachment Inquiry against President Cyril Ramaphosa. ATM and its leader Vuyo Zungula brought the case to the apex court, which refused the application to overturn last month's High Court decision, which granted Ramaphosa an urgent interdict to halt the impeachment process. As a result, Parliament ceased its public hearings into the Phala Phala game farm scandal. Ramaphosa's legal team argued that public hearings cannot proceed until a separate judicial review of the Independent Panel's report concludes. The Constitutional Court concluded that it is not in the interest of justice to hear the matter at this stage. An imminent judicial review decision in the Western Cape Division of the High Court will likely render the interim interdict moot, the order read. Consequently, the apex court refused leave to appeal and leave to file a replying affidavit, deciding not to award costs. Impeachment Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana confirmed that parliamentary proceedings will adapt to the legal framework. Despite the halt on public hearings, Gana emphasised that foundational administrative work will continue. The committee's current internal operations include finalising guidelines to direct future committee work and completing recommendations for the evidence leader position. The committee will await an appointment update for the evidence leader at the next meeting and review witness lists once the evidence leader officially joins the team, Gana said.