Powers and Privileges Committee announces penalties for six EFF members found guilty of contempt

22 November 2023

The Powers and Privileges Committee today sanctioned the six members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who were found guilty of contravening the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities Act.

The committee deliberated on the proposed sanctions that the initiator, Adv Anton Katz, presented on Tuesday. Several members of the committee proposed additional sanctions that included the docking of one month’s salary for each member, a formal reprimand and suspension for the whole month of February. The members of the committee also ordered that the six members apologise in person in the House for disrupting SONA 2023 and putting the country in a bad light.

The six EFF members are: Mr Julius Malema, Mr Floyd Shivambu, Mr Marshall Dlamini, Mr Sinawo Tambo, Mr Vuyani Pambo and Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. They were found guilty of being in contempt of Parliament.

This followed the SONA 2023 incident, when the six National Assembly (NA) members ignored the ruling of the Speaker of the NA to leave the Chamber. Instead of leaving, they crossed the floor and jumped onto the stage at City Hall where President Cyril Ramaphosa was to deliver the SONA. The Speaker then had to suspend proceedings and call on the security services to remove them.

The initiator, Adv Katz, on Tuesday proposed two possible sanctions as provided for in S12 (5) of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act – that the committee orders the six members to apologise to Parliament, the Council or any person determined by the House, including the President, the Speaker and the people of South Africa. He also proposed a ten-day suspension that will mean the six members will be unable to attend SONA next year in February.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Violet Siwela, announced the committee’s decision on the appropriate penalties – that each member will be suspended without remuneration for the month of February, and each member must also make an apology in person in the House to the President, the Speaker and the people of South Africa.

Ms Siwela said the committee will now compile a draft report on the hearing which will be submitted to the NA for its consideration.

Issued by Mava Lukani, Media Officer, Parliament, 22 November 2023