South African political parties must submit the names of members of parliament for the impeachment committee by the close of business this Friday [1].
The deadline is a critical step in formalizing a committee under Section 89 rules to consider the impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa [3]. The composition of this committee will determine how the National Assembly handles the proceedings and whether there is sufficient cross-party consensus to move forward with the inquiry [3].
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza emphasized the urgency of the timeline to ensure the process remains on track. "I hope all political parties will have sent their list of MPs serving on the Impeachment Committee by the close of business on Friday," Didiza said [1].
Several political groups have already complied with the request. Five parties — the Democratic Alliance (DA), MK Party (MKP), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), African Transformation Movement (ATM), and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) — have already submitted their lists of nominees [1].
However, two major political entities have not yet responded. The African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are the only parties that have not yet made their announcements [2].
The formalization of the committee is part of a broader effort by the South African Parliament to address the Phala Phala inquiry and the subsequent legal and political challenges facing the presidency [2]. The process requires a proportional representation of parties to ensure the committee's legitimacy and adherence to parliamentary rules [3].
With the deadline arriving on Friday, May 22, 2026 [1], the focus remains on whether the ANC and EFF will provide their nominees in time to avoid delays in the impeachment proceedings.
“"I hope all political parties will have sent their list of MPs serving on the Impeachment Committee by the close of business on Friday."”
The delay by the ANC and EFF is significant because these two parties hold substantial influence in the National Assembly. While smaller parties have quickly aligned, the hesitation from the ANC — the president's own party — and the EFF suggests potential strategic maneuvering regarding the committee's composition and the ultimate viability of the impeachment effort.
