By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has pleaded with the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the ANC to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa against his removal as President of South Africa. 

These remarks were made during an interview that Cachalia had with eNCA, as he stated that Ramaphosa’s impeachment could potentially destabilise the country and has urged that the ANC and his partners in the GNU protect him from possible impeachment.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) have made their stance known stating that there is no chance that they will allow accountability to be disregarded in order for political power to be attained. Ramaphosa is currently facing a new parliamentary impeachment committee in order to investigate his conduct in the Phala Phala farm scandal. 

This follows a ruling from the Constitutional Court which declared parliament’s decision to dismiss the initial inquiry as unlawful. The ConCourt has expressed that parliament indeed acted unconstitutionally by dismissing Section 89 independent panel report , which had found “prima facie” evidence of misconduct which included $580,000 in cash hidden underneath a sofa on the farm.

Many critics are divided in terms of their thoughts regarding Cachalia’s statements as they insinuate that the President is above the law and that he should never be investigated when there is potential misconduct.

Governance Expert and Political Analyst, Sandile Swana, has accused Cachalia of political bias as they were very close during their days in the anti-apartheid movement with United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 80s.

 “It is Cachalia’s job to make sure that there is no chaos if Ramaphosa is removed. He should protect the internal stability of the country” said Swana.

 National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza, had established a 31 member section 89 impeachment committee last week in order to investigate if whether there is sufficient evidence to have Ramaphosa impeached. 31 seats are allocated in the committee among 16 parties with; ANC (9 seats), DA (5), MK Party (3), EFF (2), alongside IFP, PA, FF Plus, ActionSA, ACDP, UDM, Rise Mzansi, BOSA, ATM, Al Jama-ah, NCC and UAT each holding one seat each.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has expressed that even though there are lingering societal concerns, constitutional and parliamentary processes need to be adhered to. 

“We imagine it is this economic instability of political changes that the acting minister Cachalia is referring to, but we can’t be certain. What we are certain of is that no matter what the fears or concerns in this regard, the legal and parliamentary processes must proceed, and we-as-a-nation cannot usurp those processes, and thus must deal with the outcomes as they happen” said OUTA CEO, Wayne Duvenhage.