EFF MPs will not participate in the 2024 Sona activities and programme.
This is after the Western Cape High Court dismissed its application for leave to appeal a decision that forbids EFF leader Julius Malema and five other MPs from participating in the Sona on Thursday, 8 February.
Party spokesman Sinawo Thambo said the decision was undemocratic and unconstitutional and was taken to favour President Cyril Ramaphosa. He said Sona was going to be an extended caucus of the ANC.
“It is evident, and certainly beyond a reasonable doubt, that the courts continue to be part of the Ramaphosa defense mob, whose primary and sole aim is to protect the racist white capitalist establishment,” said Thambo.
He said the courts have refused to unseal the CR17 benefactors, the majority of whom were part of the white capitalist establishment.
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“The recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court represents a suppression of democracy and constitutional accountability in South Africa. Forbidding Members of Parliament from carrying out their constitutional obligations and duties is undemocratic, and it is abominable that the courts are part of this suppression of democracy,” said Thambo.
The ruling relates to the Sona 2023 incident when Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Marshall Dlamini, Tambo, Vuyani Pambo, and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi ignored the ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly to leave the Chamber.
Instead of leaving, the members crossed the floor and jumped on the stage at the Cape Town City Hall where Ramaphosa was to deliver the address.
Parliament welcomed the decision and said it was happy the application was dismissed.
"Parliament agrees with the court that the argument claiming the suspensions infringed upon the constitutional rights of the EFF to participate in the State of the Nation Address was without merit, as the remaining EFF MPs could still adequately represent them,” said Parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo.
