ANC says High Court ruling protects Ramaphosa’s constitutional rights
The African National Congress (ANC) says the Western Cape High Court’s decision to temporarily halt Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa is a victory for constitutional rights and the rule of law rather than a setback for accountability.
In a statement issued on Friday, the governing party welcomed the court’s judgment granting Ramaphosa’s urgent application to interdict the continuation of the impeachment process while his application to review the independent Section 89 Panel Report is heard.
The ANC said the ruling confirms that every South African, including the President, has the constitutional right to seek judicial intervention when challenging the lawfulness of public processes.
“The ANC respects the independence of the judiciary and welcomes the legal clarity provided by the Court. The judgment affirms that every person, including the President of the Republic, is entitled to approach the courts to protect their constitutional rights and ensure that public processes are lawful, rational and procedurally fair,” the party said.
It added that exercising this right should not be interpreted as an attempt to avoid accountability.
According to the ANC, the judgment clears the way for Ramaphosa’s judicial review application to be heard without parallel impeachment proceedings complicating the legal process.
The party also argued that the ruling does not strip Parliament of its constitutional responsibilities.
“The judgment does not diminish the role of Parliament in processing the Section 89 Panel Report but provides the President with an opportunity to challenge the report through judicial review within his rights provided for by law,” the statement said.
The ANC urged political parties and the public to respect the court’s decision and allow the remaining legal processes to continue without interference or political distortion.
It reiterated its commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, the separation of powers and the principle that no individual is above the law, while maintaining that every person is entitled to equal protection under the Constitution.
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