Malema tries to stop EFF MPs thrown out during Zuma debate

17 May 2016 - 11:52
By Tmg Digital
EFF leader Julius Malema. Picture Credit: Gallo Images
EFF leader Julius Malema. Picture Credit: Gallo Images

An urgent application by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to interdict the National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete from ejecting its MPs during Tuesday’s question session to President Jacob Zuma was struck off the roll on Monday by the Western Cape High Court.

President Zuma will give oral replies to questions from Members in the National Assembly from 2pm.

Judge Ashley Binns-Ward struck off the application on the basis that it was not urgent‚ Parliament said in a statement.

The EFF had also sought the court to interdict the Speaker from “unlawfully physically ejecting any member of the applicant from the premises of the National Assembly”.

As an alternative‚ the Party sought to have Tuesday’s appearance by the President in the National Assembly postponed until such time that the Speaker has given the Court an assurance that there would be “no physical violence of any sort perpetrated against members of the opposition‚ for anything said in the National Assembly”.

When the EFF wrote to the Speaker on 11 May‚ seeking certain undertakings‚ the office of the Speaker had indicated that she and all other Presiding Officers have always acted in terms of the Rules and Orders of the Assembly and will continue to do so.