Phala Phala committee selects Griffiths Madonsela as preferred evidence leader

By Simon Nare

The parliamentary Impeachment Committee investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of the theft of foreign currency from his private Phala Phala farm has recommended Advocate Thandazani Griffiths Madonsela SC as the preferred candidate to serve as the inquiry’s evidence leader.

Madonsela received nine votes, beating Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC, who received seven, after the committee considered eight nominees who had indicated their availability. Eleven committee members abstained.

Madonsela’s name will now be forwarded to Parliament for the formal appointment process.

During the selection process, Madonsela disclosed that he had received a brief from a political party study group with an interest in the impeachment matter.

He said he did not play a meaningful role and had mainly overseen legal opinions prepared by junior advocates.

Madonsela said he had participated in only two opinions and that his role had been minimal.

The senior advocate was nominated by the Economic