Wednesday, June 3, 2026-South Africa’s Parliament has taken a dramatic and politically charged step by electing Makashule Gana as chair of the Section 89 impeachment inquiry committee a panel tasked with reassessing serious allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Gana’s appointment comes as lawmakers prepare to probe findings tied to the controversial Phala Phala scandal, which has dominated national discourse and cast a long shadow over the nation’s political stability. His selection marks a rare moment in South African politics where a vocal critic of the president will lead such a pivotal constitutional process.
Gana, a member of the Rise Mzansi party, emerged as chair after Parliament’s vote, raising expectations for a more assertive and transparent inquiry into the allegations that Ramaphosa may have violated constitutional and anti-corruption statutes.
The inquiry is restarting after the Constitutional Court ruled that an earlier parliamentary vote against the Section 89 process was unlawful, effectively reopening the path for formal scrutiny of the president’s conduct. Gana has pledged to oversee the committee “without fear, favour, or prejudice,” a message intended to restore public confidence in a process many South Africans see as essential for accountability.
However, the choice of Gana has not been without controversy. Opposition figures like the uMkhonto weSizwe Party have questioned whether he can remain fully independent, arguing that his ties and political history could influence the inquiry’s direction.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has sought legal avenues to challenge aspects of the Section 89 report, even as he faces pressure to engage with the committee and answer tough questions directly. What unfolds next will not only test the resilience of South Africa’s democratic institutions but could also shape the nation’s political trajectory in a period of rising public mistrust and urgent calls for reform.
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