Section 89 Committee Appoints Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as Evidence Leader Following EFF Nomination
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
Section 89 Committee Appoints Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as Evidence Leader Following EFF Nomination
Byline: Political Desk
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee has resolved to recommend the appointment of Advocate Thandazani Madonsela SC as its Evidence Leader, marking a key milestone in the unprecedented impeachment inquiry into a sitting South African President.
Advocate Madonsela's selection followed a nomination put forward by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Treasurer General and committee member, Hon. Omphile Maotwe.
Madonsela secured the position after gaining support across a coalition of opposition parties, defeating the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) preferred candidate, Advocate Kate Hofmeyr SC, by nine votes to seven.
Voting Breakdown in Committee
The nomination secured nine votes from across the opposition benches:
- uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party: 3 votes
- Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): 1 vote
- African Transformation Movement (ATM): 1 vote
- Build One South Africa (BOSA): 1 vote
- African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP): 1 vote
- United Africans Transformation (UAT): 1 vote
Advocate Hofmeyr received seven votes, supported by the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, and ActionSA. The African National Congress (ANC) abstained with its nine committee seats.
EFF Welcomes Resolution
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the EFF welcomed the committee's decision, expressing full confidence in Madonsela’s legal acumen and independence.
"The EFF has every confidence that Advocate Madonsela will execute his responsibilities with professionalism, precision, and independence, without fear, favour, or prejudice," the party stated.
The party underscored the historic nature of the proceedings, noting that the Section 89 Committee is conducting the first impeachment inquiry against a sitting President in South Africa's post-apartheid history—a process expected to establish significant constitutional precedents for parliamentary oversight.
Legal Credentials
Advocate Madonsela brings over three decades of legal practice to the role. Having initially practiced as an attorney, he joined the KwaZulu-Natal Bar in 2001 and was conferred Senior Counsel (SC) status in 2015.
His career includes appearances as lead counsel before both the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. He has also held prominent leadership positions in the legal sector, including serving as Chairperson of the Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal and Chairperson of Advocates for Transformation.
The committee's recommendation will now be submitted to Parliament's administration to finalize the formal procurement and appointment process.
