Lindsay Dentlinger23 February 2024 | 12:45

Removal of EFF MPs during Judge Motata's impeachment vote to be considered for Parly probe

EFF MPs clashed with house chairperson Madala Ntombela on Wednesday night over rulings he made that their behaviour and interjections went against house rules.

Removal of EFF MPs during Judge Motata's impeachment vote to be considered for Parly probe

CAPE TOWN - The matter of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members of Parliament (MPs) who were forcefully removed from the National Assembly this week during the impeachment vote of former Gauteng Judge Nkola Motata is to be considered by a Parliamentary rules sub-committee for investigation. 

This comes as EFF leader Julius Malema demands answers from 11 other caucus members who skipped the sitting. 

EFF MPs clashed with house chairperson Madala Ntombela on Wednesday night over rulings he made that their behaviour and interjections went against house rules.

While Malema waits for the 11 MPs to explain their absence during Wednesday’s historic impeachment votes, Parliament said it will be probing the circumstances that led to the physical removal of some EFF MPs who were present. 

By notice in the daily parliamentary papers, the Speaker has referred the matter to the sub-committee on the physical removal of a member from the chamber. 

Ntombela requested the assistance of parliamentary security after some EFF MPs who cried foul over the integrity of the voting process refused to leave the chamber voluntarily. 

“Members of the protection services will be requested to help the honourable Mashabela to leave the house.”

Their absence, however, did not affect the outcome of the impeachment vote. 

Meanwhile, six EFF MPs including Malema are currently serving a month’s suspension from parliamentary proceedings over disruptions during 2023’s State of the Nation Address.