JOHANNESBURG – The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has strongly criticized the ANC, accusing the ruling party of retaliating against former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for her role in approving an investigation into the Phala Phala farm scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona claims Mapisa-Nqakula’s impartiality during her tenure as Speaker made her a target within the ANC. “They wanted her to wear an ANC hat while doing her work,” Ntshona stated, suggesting that the ruling party expected her to ignore the ATM’s calls for an investigation.
The investigation, conducted by a Section 89 panel led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, found preliminary evidence suggesting that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution in connection with the theft of foreign currency from his farm. Mapisa-Nqakula’s approval of this investigation has reportedly subjected her to political and legal pressures.
Ntshona expressed gratitude for Mapisa-Nqakula’s nonpartisan approach, stating: “We are forever grateful that she was not partisan and allowed the investigation to continue.” He further asserted that she is now being punished for refusing to “toe the party line.”
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ATM have taken legal action, appealing to the Constitutional Court to challenge Parliament’s decision to dismiss the Section 89 report, which contained unfavorable findings against Ramaphosa. The opposition parties argue that the ANC exploited its parliamentary majority to shield the president from accountability.
On Tuesday, thousands of EFF supporters rallied outside the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, in support of the legal challenge. Addressing the crowd, EFF leader Julius Malema emphasized the principle of holding all South African presidents 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 ruled he must repay the money. The same standard must apply to Ramaphosa,” Malema declared.
This unfolding saga underscores growing tensions within South Africa’s political landscape, with opposition parties intensifying their efforts to challenge alleged abuses of power by the executive.
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