Advocate Thandazani Madonsela recommended as evidence leader for Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry
The Section 89 Impeachment Committee has recommended Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as the evidence leader for the inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment process.
Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana announced the outcome of the vote on Wednesday, saying the recommendation would now be forwarded to Parliament, which is responsible for making the final appointment.
"The name that will be recommended as the outcome of the vote will be that of Advocate Madonsela. Like we have said, ours is to recommend; the appointing process is done by Parliament."
He said Parliament would now begin the necessary processes, including supply chain and procurement procedures, before formally appointing the evidence leader.
"We will then recommend to Parliament to start the engagements that are done in line with all the supply chain and procurement that they do when they appoint an evidence leader."
"Once the evidence leader is appointed, the evidence leader will then recommend the two assistants, who will then work to assist the committee."
The decision follows a process in which political parties were invited to submit additional names after the committee previously indicated that an initial shortlist of four candidates was insufficient.
Several advocates were nominated, including Sesi Baloyi, who currently serves on the Madlanga Commission investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, and Thandaani Madonsela, who recently represented Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge during his misconduct proceedings.
The EFF, uMkhonto weSizwe Party and United Africans Transformation nominated Madonsela, while the IFP proposed Baloyi and Carol Steinberg. The Freedom Front Plus nominated Jannie Lubbe, while the African Transformation Movement put forward Tiny Seboko.
The committee's work has been delayed following a Western Cape High Court ruling that temporarily halted oral evidence proceedings in President Ramaphosa's impeachment inquiry.
The committee has since resolved to appeal that judgment, while continuing with preparatory work, including finalising its terms of reference and appointing an evidence leader.
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