EFF STATEMENT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VOTE ON THE SECTION 89 INDEPENDENT PANEL REPORT INTO PHALA PHALA FARM
Tuesday, 13 December 2022
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has noted the outcomes of the sitting of the National Assembly of Parliament, regarding the report by the Section 89 Independent Panel on the criminality which occurred on Phala Phala Farm.
The ruling party which is the ANC, has once again chosen to use its majority in Parliament to defend corruption and stifle accountability, oversight and transparency. The diabolical decision of the majority of Members of Parliament who belong to the ANC, to vote against an impeachment inquiry reveals a deep-seated disrespect for the Constitution of South Africa by the so-called former liberation movement.
It is patently clear that the ruling party has learnt nothing from the mistakes it has made in the past, and South Africa must know that it is an organisation characterised by unrepentant arrogance in their corruption and constitutional delinquency. The enemies of the rule of law and the Constitution are those who claim to have liberated South Africa, and the supposed architect of the Constitution has resolved to undermine everything it stands for.
The EFF commends all opposition parties who voted in defence of the Constitution, against the rampant criminality of an organised criminal network controlled by Ramaphosa. We especially commend those members of the ruling party who chose to vote with their conscience in the face of threats to their livelihoods and membership in their organisation.
The decision to decline a secret ballot while Members of Parliament have been threatened with expulsion if they do not vote in a particular manner by the ruling party, remains irrational, factional and partisan. To make matters worse, the Speaker of the National Assembly refused to grant a secret ballot even though some Members of Parliament received death threats on the eve of the sitting.
In light of the various breaches of the Constitution and undermining of the integrity of the process of voting on whether to adopt the report, the EFF intends to take the decision to reject the report in Parliament on judicial review on an urgent basis.
We cannot sit by while a partisan Speaker of the National Assembly is complicit in the intimidation of Members of Parliament and undermines the ability of Members to vote in accordance with the oath of office they have taken. The process was flawed and characterised by fear and imposition of what direction Members of Parliament must vote in.
The proceedings of today in Parliament were the beginning of a war in defence of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Ramaphosa will not survive Phala Phala Farm, and his legacy will be that he undermine the rule of law in South Africa. He will never know peace and his best course of action remains immediate resignation, because the EFF will ensure he leaves the office of the President of South Africa disgraced, exposed and without a cent.
Issued by the EFF, 13 December 2022
