Economic freedom fighters statements on the charges preferred on EFF members of parliament by the ANC:

23 September 2014

Between the 18th and 22nd of September 2014, 20 Members of Parliament from the Economic Freedom Fighters were served with charges by the Secretary of Parliament concerning the events of the 21st of August 2014 where EFF Members of Parliament demanded that President Jacob Zuma Pay Back The Money. On the 21st of August 2014, EFF Members demanded through proper and legitimate Parliamentary process that President Jacob Zuma should pay the money as part of the remedial actions mandated by the Public Protector.

In reaction to the demand of the EFF Members of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly asked members who were not serious to leave the Chambers. Because members of the EFF were serious about the work of Parliament, we did not leave Parliament because we were serious and wanted the answer of when the money will be paid back. The Speaker of the National Assembly then suspended the house and postponed the questions to the President of the Republic.

Since the 21st of August 2014, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the ANC have been making threats that they will take harsh action against members of the EFF. The Speaker already attempted to irregularly suspend members of the EFF from Parliament, and was stopped because of Court processes which were going to expose her that she is acting outside the law.

Over the stated period, the Acting Secretary of Parliament sent the Protection Services to haunt our members in their homes and used sheriffs to serve charges on members of the EFF. After careful consideration, the Economic Freedom Fighters has decided to urgently approach the country's Courts to interdict the intention of the ANC to exclude the EFF from Parliament. It can never be correct that a political party which was elected by more than 1 million people should be subjected to a quasi-disciplinary process which is dominated and controlled by the political enemy, the ruling party.

The EFF will vigorously challenge this kangaroo Court of the ANC, which since the 21st of August 2014, has expressed its intention to punish the EFF. EFF Members of Parliament will therefore await the guidance of Courts on the question of whether as elected members of Parliament, we should subject ourselves to a quasi-disciplinary process presided over by the ruling party which under circumstances is the judge, the complainant and witness in this same matter.

We will consistently brief members of media and society at large about developments in Parliament, and will never agree to be excluded from performing tasks of oversight and legislation, which more than 1 million South Africans mandated us to perform. We are committed to represent the interests of our people and safeguard interests and principles of democracy as attacked by the ruling party.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, September 23 2014

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