On the eve of the inaugural meeting of the parliamentary impeachment committee investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa's handling of the Phala Phala case, intense lobbying has been reported within political circles.

The African National Congress (ANC), despite having only nine out of 31 representatives on the committee, is strategising to influence who will chair the committee, a role critical in steering its proceedings.Several ANC MPs are pushing for Dorris Mpapane, chair of the parliamentary portfolio committee on the presidency, to take the position.However, opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), MK, and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), are unlikely to support her nomination.The DA has expressed openness to Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane assuming the chair, signalling a complex negotiation dynamic.The unfolding situation underscores the political manoeuvring aimed at controlling the trajectory of the impeachment inquiry.

With multiple parties lobbying for influence, the process reflects the deep divisions and strategic alliances shaping South Africa's parliamentary politics at a critical juncture.