The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have been unsuccessful in their bid to have their suspension lifted ahead of the State of the Nation Address (Sona).
This means that Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu, and four other senior leaders of the party will be barred from attending the Sona. The High Court ruled that the EFF had filed their papers late, resulting in the matter being struck off the roll in the Western Cape High Court.
The application to lift the suspension came just a week before the Sona. The one-month suspension of Malema, Shivambu, Marshall Dlamini, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Vuyani Pambo, and Sinawo Tambo was imposed following the findings of the Powers and Privileges Committee last year.
The committee recommended that these six EFF members be barred from Parliament from February 1 to February 29 due to their disruptive behaviour during the previous year’s Sona.
The committee also demanded that the six leaders apologize to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the nation for their conduct. However, the EFF decided to take the matter to court in an attempt to overturn the suspension.
Parliament welcomed the court’s ruling to strike the application off the roll, stating that the EFF’s late filing and lack of readiness for the case demonstrated their failure to adhere to court rules.
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The powers and privileges committee emphasised that the sanction imposed against the EFF members was intended to send a strong message against any future disruptions of the Sona. As a result, the suspension of the six EFF members will remain in effect from February 1 to February 29.
Overall, the High Court’s decision to uphold the suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules and maintaining decorum during official proceedings.
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