Cape Town – The EFF is heading back to court just before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) to push for the attendance of senior leaders, including Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu.
The Western Cape High Court previously rejected the EFF’s application to suspend disciplinary sanctions against these leaders for disrupting last year’s Sona, imposing a suspension without pay for February.
The EFF contends that this decision aims to silence those holding President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable, reported The Citizen.
The party is urgently arguing for the leaders’ attendance at Sona and seeks to set aside the National Assembly’s decision to suspend them, claiming it denies representation to over one million voters.
♦️Must Watch♦️
Newzroom Afrika’s discussion regarding the suspended EFF Members of Parliament’s attempt at interim relief.
-The EFF’s argument is that Parliament could have suspended the members in any other month, last year or even later in May or something, but why did they… pic.twitter.com/i4qXBNXxQP
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 6, 2024
According to documents submitted to the court, Zuraya Adhikarie, the legal advisor to Parliament, has stated that the suspension of the senior EFF leaders cannot be delayed, given that the current parliamentary term is nearing its conclusion, EWN reported.
If the application fails, the senior leaders won’t be able to attend the Sona.
Additionally, the EFF has a separate case challenging new house rules preventing disruptive behaviour during joint sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
The party argues that these rules violate their freedom to protest and freedom of speech.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Screengrab
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
