The Speaker of the South African Parliament announces the composition of the independent panel that will investigate the theft of large sums of money from President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm in Phala Phala, Limpopo province.

In a statement released, this Wednesday, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appoints former president of the constitutional council, Sandile Ngcobo, as chairman of the panel. Sandile Ngcobo was president of the constitutional court from 2009 to 2011 during Jacob Zuma's consulate.

The other two members of the independent panel are former judge of the Gauteng division of the High Court, Thokozile Mapisa, and associate professor of public law, at the University of Cape Town, Richard Calland.

The statement from the South African parliament, quoted by Radio Mozambique, clarifies that these three names were chosen, by the president, after careful consideration of the names proposed by the political parties.

The three were chosen because of their credentials, the need to ensure gender and demographic balance, and their availability to serve on the independent panel. This panel is tasked with assessing and determining whether or not there are grounds for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, following the Phala Phala farm money theft case.

Last June, the ombudsman's office and the police opened investigation proceedings that are ongoing.
Cyril Ramaphosa is accused of concealing the robbery from the police and tax authorities, of kidnapping and buying the silence of the robbers who seized large sums of money from one of the president's properties.

Ramaphosa, in the few times he has broached the subject, admits the robbery occurred, but denies the allegations of kidnapping and bribery.