The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has come out swinging, accusing the ANC of punishing former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for allowing an investigation into the Phala Phala farm scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to ATM spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, said Mapisa-Nqakula’s impartiality as Speaker of Parliament led to her being targeted.
“They wanted her to wear an ANC hat while doing her work,” Ntshona said, implying that the ANC expected Mapisa-Nqakula to ignore the ATM’s requests for an investigation according to reports.
The investigation in question, led by the Section 89 panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who concluded that Ramaphosa may have broken the Constitution and had a case to answer regarding his conduct surrounding the theft of foreign currency on his farm.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s decision to approve the investigation has apparently led to her facing legal challenges.
Ntshona reportedly believes Mapisa-Nqakula is being punished for “not toeing the party line”.
The ATM spokesperson expressed gratitude for Mapisa-Nqakula’s impartiality, saying: “We are forever grateful that she was not partisan and allowed the investigation to continue.”
This development comes as the EFF and ATM approach the Constitutional Court to challenge the lawfulness of setting aside the Section 89 report, which contained negative findings against Ramaphosa.
The parties argue that the ANC used its majority in Parliament to set aside the report, which had adverse findings against the president.
Thousands of EFF supporters descended on the Constitutional ,Court in Braamfontein Johannesburg, on Tuesday in support of the party’s move to take Ramaphosa to court.
Addressing party supporters, EFF leader Julius Malema said South African presidents were not above the law and should be held accountable.
“Every president must be held accountable. We did the same with Zuma when he spent money on Nkandla. We took him to the Constitutional Court and they said he must repay the money. The same thing must happen to Ramaphosa,” Malema said.
This is a developing story.
The Star