EFF Announces Boycott Of State Of The Nation Address

Just hours before the State of the Nation Address (Sona), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has made a significant announcement.

The party has declared a party-wide boycott of the event in response to the Western Cape High Court’s ruling that six EFF MPs, including leader Julius Malema, would not be allowed to attend.

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The EFF vehemently rejected the court’s ruling and stated that all members would boycott the Sona. They deemed the decision undemocratic and unconstitutional, referring to the State of the Nation Address as an extended caucus of the ANC.

The party expressed that participating in the event would imply agreement with the unlawful decisions of Parliament to banish elected MPs.

The EFF plans to appeal the ruling to prevent any legal precedent that would allow Parliament to restrict elected representatives from holding the executive accountable.

EFF MP Nazier Paulsen emphasised that banning the commander-in-chief and deputy president from leading the EFF caucus in Sona interferes with the party’s leadership. He stated that the ANC cannot dictate who should be involved in the EFF’s internal processes.

Although some members have been banned from Parliament, the rest of the EFF caucus attending Sona will still hold President Ramaphosa accountable.

Paulsen criticised the new rules adopted by Parliament, which prevent interruptions during the President’s address, calling them draconian and a sign of a delinquent government that avoids accountability.

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The EFF’s duty as elected public representatives is to ensure that important matters are not swept under the carpet. They believe it is their democratic responsibility to hold the executive accountable.

In a separate case, the Western Cape High Court previously dismissed the EFF’s application to suspend disciplinary sanctions against Malema and other MPs who disrupted last year’s Sona. The MPs were given a sanction of suspension without pay for February.

The EFF’s boycott of the State of the Nation Address reflects their strong stance against what they perceive as undemocratic actions and a violation of their rights as elected representatives.