President of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema and his troops will not attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) after the Western Cape High Court dismissed their urgent application on Thursday evening.
Following Tuesday’s oral submissions by Malema’s party and Parliament’s counsels, the court handed down judgment. The EFF leader and his allies argue that is was their Constitutional right to attended and protest during last year’s SONA the sanctions by the powers and privileges committee and the National Assembly were unlawful.
The EFF however decided to boycott SONA following after their wishes were not granted. The new rules that prohibit any interruptions during the president’s speech including the MPs were adopted in December 2023.
Outgoing National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula earlier said the fact that six EFF MPs would not attend Sona did not mean the EFF would not be represented as party.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said it is evident and certainly beyond reasonable doubt that the courts continue to be part of President Cyril Ramaphosa defence mob, whose primary and sole aim is to protect the racist white capitalist establishments.
“Courts in South Africa have been reduced to being part of the Ramaphosa defence mob because he is the representative and puppet of the white capitalist establishment,” Thambo said.
“Partial participation in the 2024 Sona activities and programme would imply that some of our members agree with the unlawful, undemocratic and unconstitutional decisions of Parliament to forbid and banish elected MPs. We will therefore not attend nor participate in the ANC’s extended parliamentary caucus.”
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