The Western Cape High Court is sitting on Thursday morning to continue hearing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to review and set aside the controversial Section 89 Independent Panel report.
The legal challenge targets the November 2022 report, which concluded that there was prima facie evidence suggesting the President may have violated his oath of office regarding the high-profile theft at his Phala Phala game farm.
During Wednesday's proceedings, legal counsel representing President Ramaphosa argued that the independent panel led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, misunderstood its mandate and applied an incorrect legal standard. The President’s legal team contended that the panel based its findings on untested evidence without thoroughly interrogating the material before it.
The high-stakes review application names nine respondents, including various political parties represented in Parliament as well as National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza.
The court proceedings are expected to unpack the procedural bounds of parliamentary oversight versus executive rights to administrative justice as the legal battle over the Phala Phala fallout continues.