Cape Town — The EFF’s bid to get its suspension lifted by the Western Cape High Court has failed, meaning Julius Malema and other senior leaders of the party will not attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Floyd Shivambu, Marshall Dlamini, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Vuyani Pambo and Sinawo Tambo were the other party leaders who were suspended alongside Malema. The High Court ruled that the EFF has filed their papers too late and the matter was struck off the roll. The ruling comes one week before SONA and the suspension will come into effect on Thursday, IOL reported.
Their one-month suspension from Parliament follows the findings of the Powers and Privileges Committee last year that six EFF members be barred from Parliament from February 1 until February 29.
“The EFF had requested the court’s leniency in accepting the late filing of their replies to the affidavit for the National Assembly and their heads of arguments in the matter. We concur with the majority judgment that the responsibility lies with the applicant. In this case, the EFF, to ensure that they adhere to court rules and have a well-prepared case that is ripe for hearing,” Parliament said.
The EFF’s Statement on the Western Cape High Court Ruling Regarding the Suspension of Six EFF Members of Parliament
-The timing of this suspension, specifically choosing February 2024 to exclude our members from the upcoming SONA, is particularly nefarious. This move appears to… pic.twitter.com/th196ka0ne
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 31, 2024
According to SABC News, The six lawmakers were found guilty of contempt of Parliament following the storming of the stage at last year’s SONA. The recent ruling means they are set to miss out on SONA and the Budget Speech. The party said it condemns the judgment, alleging it suppresses accountability for President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The suspension of members of Parliament of the EFF is simply to ensure that he is not held accountable for his failings. It is his last State of the Nation Address, and they want him to have a peaceful one because they think that if they suspend the commander in chief, the president of the EFF, they are going to have a peaceful State of the Nation Address. It’s not going to be possible, members of parliament of the Economic Freedom Fighters are going to be part and parcel of SONA.” Thambo, said.
The Western Cape High Court has struck off the roll the EFF’s application to challenge the suspension of some of its members. Sinawo Thambo says it’s unfortunate that Parliament has been turned into a weapon to defend President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Watch: https://t.co/6yp4DGDtd4 pic.twitter.com/Sj5PYIRhpJ
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 31, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
