EFF statement on Western Cape High Court ruling regarding the suspension of six EFF members of parliament

31 January 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has noted the Western Cape High Court's decision to strike off our application to suspend disciplinary sanctions against six members of Parliament, who peacefully protested at last year's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

This ruling underscores the suppressive nature of the executive's attempts to stifle accountability and silence those who hold Cyril Ramaphosa accountable.

The partisan and draconian decision to suspend the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF Julius Malema, the Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, Secretary General Marshall Dlamini, and Commissars Sinawo Thambo, Vuyani Pambo, and Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi for contempt of Parliament, is clearly politically motivated and aims to intimidate those who seek to hold the government accountable.

The initial peaceful protest at the SONA of 2023, stemmed from serious allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the discovery of large amounts of foreign cash concealed in his furniture, which eventually unfolded into what is now known as the Phala Phala scandal.

The EFF was and remains deeply concerned about the lack of adequate investigation and subsequent accountability regarding this discovery that was coupled with numerous illegal activity in attempts to recover what was stolen illicit currency. It was revealed that there had been a clandestine investigations using state resources, and the apparent coordinated cover-up by state institutions such as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), SARS, and even the Public Protector's office, gave credence to the levels of criminality by the President.

In this climate of impunity, the EFF emerged as a leading voice willing to speak out against corruption and demand transparency from the highest echelons of government. It is therefore not surprising that the Powers and Privileges Committee, which is predominantly constituted by members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), proceeded with disciplinary proceedings against our members.

The timing of this suspension, specifically choosing February 2024 to exclude our members from the upcoming SONA, is particularly nefarious. This move appears to be a calculated attempt to ensure that Ramaphosa can deliver his final SONA without facing scrutiny from the EFF.

It is, therefore evident that the ANC-led government is resorting to vindictive measures to silence opposition voices and evade accountability for their failures.

Despite these unjust actions, we want to assure the public that all EFF members of Parliament who attend the SONA will continue to hold Ramaphosa accountable for his failures. These include the rampant unemployment statistics, rising crime rates, gender-based violence (GBV), and the Phala Phala farm scandal, which was the primary reason for our initial protest.

We remain resolute in our commitment to fighting for justice, transparency, and accountability in Parliament, regardless of the attempts to silence us. The EFF will not be deterred in our mission to hold the government accountable and fight for the interests of the people.

The fact that a peaceful protest led to prosecution, and now a court ruling effectively upholding that prosecution, raises serious concerns about the state of democracy in our country.

If the highest institution tasked with safeguarding democratic principles is beholden to petty party politics, then the very essence of democracy is at stake. This decision sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the fundamental rights of citizens to hold their government accountable.

As a result, we call on all citizens to register to vote this coming weekend, 3-4 February 2024, and to vote against a compromised ANC that nurtures leaders prone to corruption like Ramaphosa. Their criminal tendencies have filtered down to every level of ANC governance, resulting in widespread corruption and lack of accountability.

Let us register to vote for the EFF, who are ready to stand up in the halls of democracy against greed and ensure that the voices of ordinary South Africans are heard.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 31 January 2024