President Ramaphosa seeks urgent court order to halt Phala Phala impeachment inquiry
via The Namibian4 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court to stop Parliament's impeachment committee from beginning its work on the Phala Phala theft. Ramaphosa argues that a recent Constitutional Court judgment revived a 2022 report by a panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which found prima facie evidence of potential constitutional and legal violations regarding the theft of at least $580,000 from his farm. He contends that the Constitutional Court's ruling, which declared parts of Parliament's impeachment rules unconstitutional and overturned a 2022 National Assembly vote, transformed a previously dormant report into a trigger for an impeachment process that could end his presidency. Ramaphosa asserts that proceeding with the impeachment inquiry before his separate review application to set aside the Ngcobo panel's findings is decided would cause him irreparable harm and create legal complications. He states that baseless allegations made during the hearings could damage his reputation and the standing of the ANC. The EFF and ATM have indicated their intention to oppose Ramaphosa's application, with the EFF arguing that the President is attempting to avoid accountability. The impeachment committee is scheduled to convene on June 24 to discuss its terms of reference and appoint an evidence leader, and its chairperson, Makashule Gana, confirmed receipt of Ramaphosa's court papers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibia National Paralympic Committee NNPC reports that recent blind football exhibition matches in Windhoek have boosted aspirations to form a national team capable of competing at an African level. These matches, held at the Namibia Special Olympics Grounds in Katutura, are part of efforts to expand Paralympic sports in Namibia beyond athletics. NNPC development officer JP Schmidt stated that the initiative aims to include more sports codes, noting that while many associate Namibian Paralympic sport with track-and-field, there are 23 sport codes. Blind football is a five-a-side game played by blind athletes using a ball with bells for auditory tracking. Schmidt mentioned that spectators were impressed by the talent displayed by the six participating teams, whose players came from various parts of the country. The next phase involves establishing structured competitions and identifying players for national team selection. Schmidt believes Namibia has the potential to become a leading force in African blind football if the program continues to develop. The NNPC and the Namibian Association for Blind Sports plan to engage more regions through training camps and development programs to build the national blind football team.
Namibian center-back Sisqo Haraseb has joined Zimbabwe Premier League side Hard Rock FC after returning from a loan spell with Iraqi Stars League outfit Al-Qassim FC. The 25-year-old has traveled to Zimbabwe and signed with the Kwekwe-based club, becoming the first Namibian international to play for them. Hard Rock FC, newly promoted to the Castle Lager Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, are currently third in the league standings. Haraseb's move follows a challenging loan in Iraq, where Al-Qassim FC faced financial difficulties and relegation. He rose to prominence with Mighty Gunners FC in Namibia, earning a national team call-up in March 2025. After his Cosafa Cup debut, he attracted interest from clubs and signed with Mochudi Centre Chiefs FC in Botswana before his loan to Al-Qassim FC. His departure from Mochudi Centre Chiefs was complicated by an alleged breach of contract, with Haraseb's lawyer now handling a dispute with the club over outstanding payments. Haraseb expressed gratitude for this new chapter in his career after a difficult first year abroad.
The Tunisian Football Federation has announced the replacement of coach Sabri Lamouchi with Frenchman Herve Renard. This decision follows Tunisia's 5-1 defeat by Sweden in the World Cup. Lamouchi, who had been in charge since January, is succeeded by Renard, who previously coached Saudi Arabia to a win against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup and later led the France women's team. The president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Nassari, confirmed that Renard will lead the national team until the end of the 2026 World Cup. Tunisia faces Japan in their next Group F match.