The independent panel of experts appointed by the Speaker of National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to investigate if there is prima facie evidence to institute an impeachment inquest against President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded its work and submitted its report to the Speaker.

This morning, the Speaker received the report from the panel. She then announced that a sitting of the National Assembly to consider the report has been scheduled for Tuesday, 6 December.

The handover also marked the end of the lifespan of the panel. The report will be published this evening in Parliament’s Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports, as well as on its website.

“With the handing over of this report, the life of the panel has accordingly come to an end. Allow me the opportunity to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the panel, consisting of retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who led the team as Chairperson; retired Judge Thokozile Masipa; and Adv Mahlape Sello for their professionalism in executing the mandate given to them. The report will be communicated to members of Parliament through its publication in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports within 24 hours,” said the Speaker.

She said the handover of the report of the Section 89 Independent Panel is a milestone in South Africa’s maturing constitutional democracy.

The panel’s mandate was to consider a preliminary enquiry relating to a motion proposing a section 89 enquiry, and make a recommendation to the Speaker whether sufficient evidence exists to show that the President committed a serious violation of the Constitution or law; or committed serious misconduct.

“The role of the National Assembly pertaining to the report is articulated in the Rules. The House will consider the report, its findings and recommendations and adopt a resolution, through a simple majority vote, whether a further action by the House is necessary or not,” said the Speaker.

The handover ceremony was also attended by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo; the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, Ms Pemmy Majodina; and party whips from other parties represented in the National Assembly.

The panel was initially given 30 days to complete its work, but later applied for an extension to the Speaker. A 13-day extension was granted.

The panel’s Chairperson Chief Justice Ngcobo said the extension was necessitated by the complexity of the task, during which the panel had to process volumes of documentation and audio recordings, as well as undertake additional research. “Dragging a President before an impeachment process is a huge decision. It cannot be done on flimsy grounds. There has to be something tangible that you can hold on to before you take that decision,” said Justice Ngcobo.