Cape Town – Parliament’s presiding officers have insisted that the new House rules, designed to minimise disruptions during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), are not targeted at any specific party.
The rules aim to maintain decorum and civility in the House, they said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday lost a court bid to overturn these rules, which they argued impeded freedom of speech.
“The Western Cape High Court has dismissed, with costs, the EFF application for an interim interdict to prevent Parliament from implementing chapters 1 to 2B of the Joint Rules of Parliament.
“Adopted on December 6, 2023, Chapter 1 to 2B of the Joint Rules deals with, among others, that no member may interrupt the President when he delivers the State of Nation Address and the removal of Members of Parliament from the Chamber.
“In its judgment delivered today, the court held that the EFF failed to provide any evidence to substantiate their claim that the amended rules were only adopted as a means to ‘target’ them as all other political parties would be subjected to the impugned rules, said parliament, according to IOL.
It’s all systems go and Parliament says it is ready to host Sona 2024 tomorrow. This comes as the Western Cape High Court dismissed the EFF’s application to prevent Parliament from implementing its new rules.#MorningLive #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/UzIp2xJDGn
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) February 7, 2024
The rules prohibit MPs from interrupting the president’s speech and ban gross disorderly conduct.
EFF leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu were barred from the House following disruptions at the previous year’s opening of Parliament.
Despite six EFF MPs serving suspensions from the House, officials asserted that the rules were not directed at any particular party.
“The rules are rules of Parliament. They are not meant for the EFF, or the IFP or any other political parties,” EWN quoted the National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli as saying.
“We think we are on sound grounds making rules as appropriate in our observation of what happens inside the Parliament for all members of Parliament. This is what gives us confidence.”
The new rules will be tested for the first time during Thursday night’s session.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
