EFF: Suspensions won’t stop MPs from holding president accountable
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the party’s MPs who are able to attend the State of the Nation Address will hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable for his failures.
The Western Cape High Court on Tuesday struck off the roll an EFF application to overturn the suspension of six MPs who disrupted last year's State of the Nation Address.
In November last year, Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee ordered the MPs, including party leader Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu, to apologise Ramaphosa for disrupting his State of the Nation Address in February.
Other sanctioned MPs include Marshall Dlamini, Sinawo Thambo, Vuyani Pambo, and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
The EFF decided to challenge Parliament's decision in court on an urgent basis. However, the court struck the case from the roll due to the late submission of documents.
This means the party’s leadership will not be able to attend Ramaphosa's last State of the Nation Address before elections.
In response, the EFF has accused the Western Cape High Court of intimidation and protecting the government from accountability.
"The initially peaceful protest at the SONA of 2023 stemmed from serious allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the discovery of large amounts of foreign cash concealed in his furniture, which eventually unfolded into what is now known as the Phala Phala scandal,” says spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
“The EFF was and remains deeply concerned about the lack of adequate investigation and subsequent accountability regarding this discovery that was coupled with numerous illegal activity in attempts to recover what was stolen illicit currency.”
The party has also questioned the timing of the ruling and the National Assembly’s move to suspend them during the same month as the State of the Nation is due to take place.
"The timing of this suspension, specifically choosing February 2024 to exclude our members from the upcoming SONA, is particularly nefarious. This move appears to be a calculated attempt to ensure that Ramaphosa can deliver his final SONA without facing scrutiny from the EFF,” said Thambo.
“It is, therefore, evident that the ANC-led government is resorting to vindictive measures to silence opposition voices and evade accountability for their failures.”
Thambo says all MPs attending SONA will ensure that Ramaphosa is held accountable.
"These include the rampant unemployment statistics, rising crime rates, gender-based violence and the Phala Phala farm scandal, which was the primary reason for our initial protest.
“The EFF will not be deterred in our mission to hold the government accountable and fight for the
interests of the people," he added.
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