Zuko Komisa

EFF is returning to court to secure SONA attendance, following suspension.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will return to court a few days before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) in an attempt to compel Parliament to grant permission for its senior leaders, Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Marshall Dlamini, Vuyani Pambo, and Sinawo Thambo, to attend.
The suspensions of the six EFF members without remuneration for a month became effective from Thursday, 1 February, and will be in place till the 29th of February.
The EFF’s request to suspend disciplinary for disrupting the Sona last year was denied by the Western Cape High Court last month along with costs.
Also Read: Health Minister Joe Phahlla blames the unemployment of doctors on fiscal constraints
In a statement released by the party following the ruling, they spoke about how the timing of the ruling was suspicious.
“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.”
Economic Freedom Fighters statement
The Powers and Privileges Committee’s recommendation to suspend six EFF members for contempt of parliament was approved by Parliament last year. The Parliament Security Services had to forcibly remove them because they had disobeyed the Speaker’s order to leave the Chamber during the disruption.
Due to the EFF’s late submission of certain documents, the case was removed from the record when it was brought before the court last week. Before Thursday, the high court is anticipated to render a decision.
READ NEXT: Concerns grow over rising violence in South African schools



