Suspension of EFF leaders from SONA to protect Ramaphosa, says party
Last year, the National Assembly resolved to suspend Malema, his deputy Floyd Shivambu and four other MPs for storming the stage during last year’s State of the Nation Address.
FILE: A screengrab of protection officers responding to EFF disruption at the start of SONA 2023. Picture: Twitter/@ewnreporter
CAPE TOWN - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that the suspension of its leaders from attending the State of the Nation Address (SONA) was to silence the party and to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The party said it had noted Tuesday’s Western Cape High Court decision to strike off the roll of its urgent application.
The red berets wanted the court to suspend sanctions against leader Julius Malema and five others who had been suspended for the month of February.
Last year, the National Assembly resolved to suspend Malema, his deputy Floyd Shivambu and four other MPs for storming the stage during last year’s State of the Nation Address.
The EFF’s one-month suspension comes exactly a year since its MPs stormed the stage to protest President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala saga.
But the party said in a statement that its members peacefully protested at last year’s SONA, and they should not be barred from attending this year’s address.
The party said the high court ruling underscored what it called the "suppressive nature" of the executive's attempts to "stifle accountability".
It added that the timing of the suspension, specifically choosing February, was "particularly nefarious".
The suspensions also mean the EFF MPs will miss the budget speech, which will also be tabled in February.