Parly welcomes WC High Court judgment dismissing EFF challenge on leaders’ suspension
The red berets had approached the court to fight the ejection of its members from the Chamber in February 2023 and their subsequent suspension.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema protest on stage as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attempts to deliver his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall in Cape Town on February 9, 2023. Picture: ESA ALEXANDER / AFP
CAPE TOWN - Parliament says it welcomes the Western Cape High Court judgement dismissing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s challenge on the suspension of its leaders.
The red berets had approached the court to fight the ejection of its members from the chamber in February 2023 and their subsequent suspension.
ALSO READ: Suspension of EFF leaders from SONA to protect Ramaphosa, says party
The court upheld the decision taken by the presiding officers as they tried to maintain order in the disruptive sitting.
The EFF lost its court challenge where the party challenged Parliament's rules of suspension.
This followed the removal and suspension of its members for disruptive behaviour at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2023.
The six members of the EFF include leader Julius Malema, deputy Floyd Shivambu and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
In a statement, Parliament said the members had raised spurious points of order and engaged in disruptive behaviour and despite the speaker ordering them to leave the chamber, the members persisted.
Parliament said it remained committed to ensuring that the parliamentary processes are not disrupted by unparliamentary behaviour, and the judgment should serve as a reminder to members.