Overview
- President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday formally objected to Advocate Thandazani Madonsela’s nomination, saying Madonsela may be conflicted because Ramaphosa removed him from the Judicial Service Commission in 2022 and because Madonsela did legal work for the ANC on rules tied to the Section 89 process.
- The Section 89 Impeachment Committee responded by voting to obtain a legal opinion on options for the evidence‑leader appointment, a move that paused final sign‑off and halted preparatory work the evidence leader would have led.
- ANC secretary‑general Fikile Mbalula placed on record that Madonsela was briefed by the party in June and July 2026 on the constitutionality and rules for Section 89 inquiries and said that disclosure does not impugn Madonsela’s integrity.
- Madonsela told MPs he had disclosed the ANC work before his nomination and rejected the president’s grievance claim, while committee officials confirmed procurement paperwork was not finalised because the panel chose to seek legal advice first.
- The dispute raises a high risk of further court challenges that could stretch the process, and it comes with public hearings still under injunction ahead of a Western Cape High Court review set for 2–4 September that will shape whether the committee can proceed.