Polls published earlier today by The Common Sense showed that a majority of voters would support President Cyril Ramaphosa being removed through a motion of no confidence.

In a statement issued yesterday, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said Ramaphosa had a legal right to approach the High Court but argued that any review application should be brought urgently and on an expedited basis.

He said Parliament should also obtain legal advice on whether the review affects the establishment and work of an impeachment committee, or whether such a committee may proceed while the court process is underway.

The DA said that legal advice should be made public, given the constitutional seriousness of the matter and the public interest in it. The party said it would be guided by the Constitution, the rule of law, and the legal position before Parliament.

That position is more cautious than that taken by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, which has demanded much firmer action, including a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa. Such a motion could easily succeed as it requires a simple majority of members of Parliament to vote for it.

Privately, African National Congress (ANC) insiders have expressed confidence that the DA would protect Ramaphosa and that the party was under donor pressure to do so. DA insiders told The Common Sense that this was not necessarily the case – and that the party would be guided by legal processes.

Removing Ramaphosa via an impeachment vote or a vote of no confidence would trigger an internal crisis for the ANC given that the party has no considered succession plan in place.