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Johannesburg — EFF leader Julius Malema was removed by members of Parliament’s security services yesterday after refusing to retract a statement in which he called Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa a murderer. During a video recording of the question and answer session with Ramaphosa, a number of men were seen walking towards Malema and removing him from his seat.
Moments afterwards, EFF MPs were seen leaving the National Assembly. The rest of the House could be heard clapping in the background. Economic Freedom Fighters Chief Whip Floyd Shivambu described the removal of party leader from Parliament as disgusting and inappropriate. “It’s actually inappropriate and disgusting . . . and it is one of the things that must be nipped in the bud in the democratic dispensation,” Shivambu told broadcaster eNCA yesterday.
Shivambu accused government of turning the country into a military state. “This is what Parliament has come to be,” he said. “South Africa has seen for itself that we are now being taken into a police state, into a military state which threatens politicians and activists who say things . . . instead of engaging them and proving them wrong, in terms of a thorough process.”
He said no threats had been made to anyone’s life or to Parliament’s property. “. . . It was just a discussion and a refusal to withdraw a correct observation that Cyril Ramaphosa is responsible for the killing of mineworkers in Marikana, and they resorted to violence.” The African National Congress welcomed National Assembly chairperson Grace Borotho’s decision to remove Malema.
“We laud the presiding officer for strictly following the new tightened rules of the House and ensuring that the business of the institution is not unduly disrupted by the conduct of Malema and his party — who are notorious for anarchy and chaos,” the party’s Chief Whip Moloto Mothapo said. — Sapa.
Online Reporter