EFF Fights To Attend State Of The Nation Address

With the State of the Nation Address (Sona) just days away, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are heading back to court in an effort to secure attendance for their senior leaders, Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu, among others.

The Western Cape High Court recently dismissed the EFF’s application to suspend disciplinary sanctions against these leaders, who disrupted last year’s Sona.

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The party now seeks to challenge the National Assembly’s decision to suspend them for the month of February, arguing that it denies representation to over one million EFF voters during the Sona.

The EFF claims that the court’s ruling against them is evidence of attempts to silence those holding President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable.

They will argue on an urgent basis that their senior leaders should be allowed to attend the Sona, scheduled for Thursday. However, Parliament’s legal advisor, Zuraya Adhikarie, has stated in court papers that the suspension cannot be delayed as the current term of Parliament is nearing its end.

If the EFF’s urgent application is unsuccessful, their senior leaders will be unable to attend the Sona.

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In a separate matter before the same court, the EFF is also challenging new house rules that aim to prevent the disruptions that have characterized their conduct at past Sonas. They argue that these rules violate their freedom to protest and freedom of speech.

The outcome of these court cases will determine whether the EFF’s senior leaders can participate in the Sona and whether the party’s conduct will be restricted by the new house rules.