PRETORIA — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has officially backed the African Transformation Movement’s (ATM) Constitutional Court challenge to resume the impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The joint legal push seeks to overturn the Western Cape High Court’s interim interdict, which currently halts Parliament’s constitutional oversight processes.
EFF Member of Parliament Mazwi Blose, speaking on behalf of the party, outlined the legal and constitutional necessity for the apex court to intervene. According to Blose, the Western Cape High Court’s decision to grant the interdict has a “final effect” on Parliament’s constitutional processes and must therefore be reconsidered by the Constitutional Court.
Blose emphasized that the impeachment committee’s work is mandated to continue until formally set aside by law. He argued that the Constitutional Court, as the highest court in the land, is the only appropriate body to interpret whether the Western Cape High Court division acted within its jurisdiction and powers. Allowing a lower court to interfere with parliamentary processes undermines the constitutional framework, Blose asserted.
The EFF maintains that this appeal meets the strict legal thresholds of “interest of justice” and “exceptional circumstances.” Blose stressed that South Africans have a right to know, in detail, what transpired regarding the highest office in the country, and that no other court should obstruct the findings and processes reserved for the apex court.
Urgency is a central pillar of the EFF’s application. Blose highlighted that a parliamentary committee is already scheduled to convene, creating a chaotic environment of conflicting legal interpretations. While one side argues the committee should proceed with its work, the other contends that Parliament would be in contempt of court due to the high court’s interdict. To resolve this legal deadlock, the EFF has proposed a specific deadline date for the Constitutional Court to hear the matter, arguing that the urgency of the situation demands it be placed before the court at its first available opportunity.
Beyond the immediate procedural battle, Blose also addressed broader themes of political integrity and accountability. He affirmed that the EFF’s positions are always grounded in the facts and evidence before them. When questioned about calls for a specific official to resign, Blose clarified that the party does not dictate personal career decisions. Instead, he stated that the individual’s conscience must guide them to make the correct choice. Should law enforcement determine that wrongdoing has occurred, Blose warned, the individual must face the full might of the law and be held fully accountable, regardless of their position.
The Constitutional Court is now expected to review the EFF and ATM’s joint papers to determine if the matter will be granted leave to appeal on the proposed urgent timeline.