National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has strongly rejected allegations by African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader and Member of Parliament Vuyo Zungula that she is biased in the ongoing Section 89 impeachment process involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Parliament described the claims as “false, unwarranted and defamatory,” dismissing allegations that Didiza met with lawyers representing Ramaphosa following the Constitutional Court judgment relating to the Phala Phala matter.
Didiza denied ever meeting the President’s legal representatives, saying the allegations were based on speculation and unsupported media reports.
The Speaker also rejected calls for her recusal from the Section 89 process, arguing that her membership of the ANC and attendance at party meetings do not compromise her ability to perform her constitutional duties impartially.
Parliament noted that Didiza had complied with all directives arising from the Constitutional Court judgment, including the establishment of a multiparty Impeachment Committee to oversee the process.
The Speaker further dismissed claims that her participation in the National Assembly vote on the Independent Panel Report in December 2022 constituted grounds for recusal, stating that she voted in her capacity as an elected Member of Parliament, as was her constitutional right.
Didiza said she would continue to discharge her responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and legal advice provided by Parliament’s Legal Services Office, despite what she described as attempts to undermine the credibility of the Section 89 process.
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