GNU-backed Gana wins Phala Phala chair, vows no ‘political theatre’

The government of national unity (GNU) flexed its parliamentary muscle on Monday when its preferred candidate, Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana, defeated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opponents to become chairperson of Parliament’s Phala Phala impeachment committee. Gana secured 19 votes against the 12 received by African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi during the committee’s inaugural meeting in Cape Town. His election was immediately welcomed by Rise Mzansi president Songezo Zibi, who said the committee’s work would be “shielded from political theatre”.

The work of the Section 89 Committee is of profound national importance, demanding the utmost seriousness, fairness and diligence. South Africans can rest completely assured that under Gana’s stewardship, the committee’s proceedings will be shielded from political theatre. “As an organisation built on the values of accountability, constitutionalism and capable leadership, Rise Mzansi believes the committee could not be in safer or more capable hands.” Mahlatsi was backed by parties seeking to hold Ramaphosa accountable over the Phala Phala scandal, including the ATM, EFF and members of the Progressive Caucus.

Gana, however, secured the support of the ANC and its GNU partners, including the DA, IFP and FF Plus. The election of a chairperson was the only item on the agenda and marked the formal start of the committee’s work. The committee was established following a Constitutional Court ruling that Parliament’s previous handling of the Phala Phala matter was flawed. In 2022, an independent panel appointed under Section 89 of the Constitution found prima facie evidence suggesting that Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of the Constitution and the law in relation to the theft of large sums of foreign currency from his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.