ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has firmly rejected the idea of Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane chairing Parliament’s impeachment committee that will investigate allegations linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Phala Phala matter.

Mbalula dismissed Maimane’s suitability for the role, pointing to his limited parliamentary representation and stating that the ANC would not support his appointment.

He further argued that Maimane was attempting to shape the rules of the process to suit his own political ambitions, suggesting that the opposition leader had an interest in securing the chairperson position himself.

The impeachment committee was established following a Constitutional Court directive requiring Parliament to determine whether there are grounds to recommend the president’s removal from office over the Phala Phala scandal, which relates to the alleged theft of more than $580,000 from Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm in 2020.The 31-member committee will include representatives from multiple parties, with the ANC holding the largest share of seats.

Opposition parties, including BOSA, have argued that the committee should be chaired by a neutral figure, ideally from outside the governing ANC or parties within the Government of National Unity, to ensure impartiality.

BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons emphasised that the chairperson should prioritise legal competence and fairness rather than partisan interests, and indicated that Maimane would be willing to serve given his parliamentary experience.Mbalula, however, insisted that the ANC is not acting to protect Ramaphosa, but will follow constitutional processes as guided by the court ruling.He also accused some political actors of using the impeachment process for broader political aims, including attempts to undermine the ANC.Meanwhile, Ramaphosa continues to challenge the findings of the independent panel report in court, arguing procedural and evidentiary flaws.The committee is expected to hold its first meeting soon, where members will elect a chairperson and begin formal proceedings.