The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is awaiting a response from Parliament Speaker Thoko Didiza after formally requesting the start of impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This follows a damning report by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into the alleged cover-up of the Phala Phala farm theft involving members of the Presidential Protection Service.

While the report makes no findings against Ramaphosa, it is highly critical of Major General Wally Rhoode and Constable Hlulani Rekhoto, citing evidence that they breached police rules and legal obligations.

The ATM said the president is now irreparably compromised, describing the matter as a full-blown constitutional crisis.

ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona said the party wants the implicated to be suspended and prosecuted.

“The establishment of a parliamentary ad-hoc committee through the Portfolio Committee on Police, urgent intervention by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence into the unlawful intelligence style of operating.”

In December 2022, impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa failed after Parliament rejected a panel report that had indicated potential misconduct in the Phala Phala matter.

*This article was first published by IOL News