DA calls for dissolution of government and early elections after Phala Phala report

The Democratic Alliance (DA) announced it will table a motion for the dissolution of the government and early general elections on Thursday, 1 December, after the Independent Section 89 panel made damning findings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal.

READ: NDZ says Ramaphosa has to step aside and answer the Phala Phala case

DA WANTS AN EARLY ELECTION

The leader of the opposition, John Steenhuisen, said all of the African National Congress (ANC) presidential candidates, including Ramaphosa, deputy president David Mabuza and the former minister of health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, are corrupt.

“South Africans should not have to choose between the Phala Phala corruption of Cyril Ramaphosa, the Digital Vibes corruption of Zweli Mkhize or the Mafia state of David Mabuza,” he said.

The DA motion is brought under Section 50(1) of the Constitution, which deals with the dissolution of the National Assembly before the expiry of its term.

It reads:

1. The President must dissolve the National Assembly if ­

a. the Assembly has adopted a resolution to dissolve with a supporting vote of a majority of its members; and

b. three years have passed since the Assembly was elected.

2. The Acting President must dissolve the National Assembly if ­

a. there is a vacancy in the office of President; and

b. the Assembly fails to elect a new President within 30 days after the vacancy occurred.

The DA maintains that Ramaphosa and his government have lost the mandate and legitimacy to govern and says a new mandate must be obtained from the people of South Africa. For the motion to pass, it needs a simple 50+1 majority. If the action is passed, it will trigger an early election.

“I will table this Motion in the National Assembly, and I will call on all members of the House, regardless of party or affiliation, to support it so that we can urgently close this chapter of corruption and get back to dealing with our country’s many challenges,” said Steenhuisen.

The Independent Panel found that Ramaphosa may have committed serious offences, including contravening anti-corruption laws, abusing his presidential power and violating the Constitution, related to the theft of US dollars from his Phala Phala game farm in 2020.

“I categorically deny that I have violated this oath in any way, and I similarly deny that I am guilty of any of the allegations made against me,” said the President, maintaining his innocence.

As previously reported, the National Assembly will consider the report on 6 December. If it is passed, the President will face an impeachment inquiry.

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