GAUTENG LEGISLATURE VOWS TO SPARE NO EFFORT TO PREVENT ANARCHY
Violent protests by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) aimed at disrupting the Tuesday Sitting of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) have resulted in malicious damage to State property. The Legislature is now doing an assessment of all damages to property, which include broken windows, doors and furniture within the building with an intention to file a civil lawsuit against the EFF to pay for damages.
The Legislature has taken serious steps to address this matter; laying criminal charges with the South African Police Services (SAPS) against EFF leader Julius Malema and his party. Charges include trespassing, damage to property, theft and intimidation (to Hon. Members, staff, stakeholders and media). In addition, the Legislature will await the decision of the Integrity Commissioner on consequences to be faced by the EFF MPLs' following their participation in disruptive behaviour.
Led by Malema, the EFF boycotted the July 22nd Sitting of the Legislature where the Budget of the Province was debated. This, is after they had also boycotted the debate on the State of the Province Debate last month.
While a smaller group of EFF supporters protested outside the Chamber on the first floor causing disruptions to the House Sitting session, bigger demonstrations continued outside. The Speaker was requested to receive the memorandum in relation to the removal of EFF from the Sitting of the House, following their defiance to the Speaker's ruling to dress appropriately in accordance with the Standing Rules.
Contrary to the perception advanced by the EFF, the Speaker to the Legislature, Hon. Ntombi Mekgwe, is currently out of the country on official business, attending to matters of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Hon. Uhuru Moiloa is the Acting Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature. As delegated Authority with full powers, privileges and responsibilities of the Political Head of the Institution, Hon. Moiloa availed himself to receive the memorandum outside the Legislature building as agreed. This was to no avail as the Speaker waited for more than three hours for the delivery of the memorandum from EFF.
The Gauteng Legislature remains firm in holding the EFF and its leader accountable for inappropriate behaviour and damages to State property. The Legislature will employ stringent security measures to curb the occurrence of similar incidents in future.
Of all the five Sittings the Legislature has convened since the beginning of the new political term, the EFF has only participated in the first Sitting where they were sworn in and the second Sitting to listen to the State of the Province Address. This means they have missed an opportunity to participate and make contributions to the debate on the State of the Province Address and the Provincial budget.
The Legislature looks forward to their maiden speeches possibly in the next Sitting which will be held on Friday.
Statement issued by Ms Khazi Sithole, Gauteng Legislature, July 24 2014
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