EFF returns to court to challenge Parly over discipline of MPs who violate rules
The EFF’s challenge on Thursday is to have the entire disciplinary process - which the red berets deem unfair and unconsitutional - reviewed by the court.
FILE: A screengrab of EFF MPs being ejected from Parliament by security officials on 10 June 2022. Picture: YouTube
CAPE TOWN - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) returns to court on Thursday to challenge Parliament on how it goes about disciplining its members who violate National Assembly rules.
The party failed in its attempt to interdict Parliament's powers and privileges committee from moving ahead with a disciplinary hearing of its members of Parliament (MPs) who were found guilty of contempt of Parliament.
Thursday's challenge is to have the entire process reviewed by the court, with the party calling the process unfair.
This week started another disciplinary process involving EFF MPs accused of disrupting the president over a year ago.
While the EFF MPs implicated have all pleaded not guilty to the charges, they're taking the matter further by asking the court to declare the entire process unconstitutional.
EFF's Advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto asked the hearing this week to adjourn and rather wait for the court's decision on the process.
“We have brought an application at different times which are due to be heard this year which challenge the Constitution and the processes of this committee.”
Ka-Siboto said the process is flawed as it allowed the African National Congress, with its majority, to discipline MPs from its political adversaries like the EFF.