Cape Town – A video of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members clashing with police officers outside the City Hall in Cape Town, has gone viral on social media.
The incident took place before the start of the state of the nation address (SONA) by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday.
The video shows a physical altercation between the EFF members and the police officers, who appear to be trying to stop the politicians.
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, spokesperson Vuyani Pambo and the rest of EFF MP’s who are attending the SONA, decided get out of the shuttle and walk from Parliaments Marks Buildings to City Hall precinct. After an argument with parliamentary stuff.#SONA2022 #Sona #Sona22 pic.twitter.com/S3QuBLeucF
— Wardāh Wilkinson (@WardahWilkinson) February 10, 2022
According to News24, EFF leader Julius Malema said the MPs retaliated after they were blocked by police officers from entering City Hall.
“The police always come here agitated. But there is a problem here of racist police, amongst the coloured officers and white officers.
EFF members clash with Police outside the City Hall, ahead of the State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa.#SONA2022 #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/4pkGBbsrYO
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 10, 2022
“These are Members of Parliament. If you look at that commotion, the [secretary-general] is showing them the card that we are Members of Parliament.
“We can’t allow police to disturb us from doing our job. We are here to do our job. No police, no army, no executive will stop us from executing our responsibility,” the report quoted Malema as saying.
Social media has reacted to the incident, with some, like @PG Coefficiant saying that the video is “disturbing”.
“The video of Ndlozi, and The EFF members confronting police is disturbing. Ndlozi is a leader, it was expected of him to stop and engage the police to understand what the position was, then take it from there. They displayed thuggery. They are a bunch of hungry thugs,” @PG Coefficiant tweeted.
The video of Ndlozi, and The EFF members confronting police is disturbing. Ndlozi is a leader, it was expected of him to stop and engage the police to understand what the position was, then take it from there. They displayed thuggery. They are a bunch of hungry thugs.
— Mswati II AKA Mavuso II (@PG_Coefficient) February 10, 2022
?????? what is Ndlozi saying about Christmas ??? https://t.co/lX3eJ5ZAg2
— SïrFèarless?Nãtivè♎? (@Lesba007) February 10, 2022
Why Ndlozi and other EFF MP’s stopped from entering City Hall the scuffle that took place was unnecessary and planned, These are representatives of our people not naughty school kids that need to be reprimanded they should have been shown respect immediately and allowed access.
— TweetAnalyst ⚖ (@YakaFortune) February 11, 2022
Ndlozi loves acting tough while he’s half the height of everyone. He’s always the loudest????… he’ll start these scuffles then stand back.
— ukhanki (@TboozeSA) February 11, 2022
The EFF instigated violence,why did Ndlozi push an officer of the law??Why not talk nicely?
— Michelle (@michellemodika) February 11, 2022
Please watch the video guys Ndlozi isn’t wearing a mask the first cop tries to talk to him as arrogant as he is..he asks the cop who are you in Soth, that’s pure disrespect stop being bias and pretending as if you can’t see this
— Thato (@Thatokgwantha) February 10, 2022
Why were they being stopped ke? I want to know nam, Ndlozi yena will catch another case of assault https://t.co/0hLVXcaPXY
— Thando (@Ta_Fitty) February 10, 2022
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@Julius_S_Malema
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
