MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe tells the Section 89 impeachment committee that President Cyril Ramaphosa must personally testify as part of the inquiry. Hlophe argues that Ramaphosa does not have a choice in the matter and that his appearance before the committee is necessary to address the allegations under consideration. He also warns that if Ramaphosa does not provide evidence, the committee could draw adverse inferences from his refusal or failure to testify.
Hlophe’s position is presented in the context of the impeachment process established under South Africa’s Constitution, which allows Parliament to consider whether the president meets the threshold for removal on specified grounds. The committee’s deliberations are ongoing, and the argument focuses on procedural expectations for testimony by the head of state. The statements reported by IOL reflect one party’s view of how the inquiry should proceed, particularly regarding whether Ramaphosa’s direct evidence is required.
