EFF rejects findings of so-called “independent investigator” on the gender-based violence committed by Parliament security against Members of Parliament
5 August 2022
The Economic Freedom Fighter's (EFF) rejects the ridiculous, compromised, and patently illogical findings by the so-called Independent Investigator, into the Gender-Based Violence which included sexual harassment, committed by Parliament Security Services against Members of Parliament. The findings shamefully seek to place equal blame for violence committed by the thugs deployed by Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, on Members of Parliament as well.
It is an objective fact that EFF Members of a Parliament were assaulted for holding Cyril Ramaphosa accountable for money laundering, kidnapping, torture and concealing of a crime at Phala Phala Farm. This was done under the instruction of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who went on to pose as a neutral Speaker, who can without bias appoint an Investigator.
It is important to note that the report by Baloyi-Mere concedes that there was violence meted against EFF Members of Parliament, but unjustifiably tries to place resistance by Members to blatant assault, as on the same paradigm as the unprovoked assault by Parliament Security Services. Baloyi-Mere further concludes that there was indecent and inappropriate touching of female members of Parliament by male security personnel, yet illogically does not find this as sexual harassment. It is this disingenuous balancing act, that undermines the legitimacy of the report, and its failure to note this violence as what it was, Gender-Based. It was under the instruction of Mapisa-Nqakula that Members were physically and sexually assaulted.
Above all, the First Citizen of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa not only watched the sexual harassment of women Members of Parliament, but laughed approving of the violence. Such a response confirms that he is guilty of the charge laid against him of torturing a woman domestic worker. It also confirms that he has has disdain for the women of the country.
It was clear for the entire nation and the world to see, that EFF Members of Parliament were assaulted, particularly female members who were physically grabbed by men, touched inappropriately and insulted, simply because the Speaker of the National Assembly was determined to suppress accountability and transparency.
There is no violence in raising points of orders, in accordance with the rules of the National Assembly. Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere, who was tasked with conducting the investigation should be ashamed as a professional and as a woman, for allowing herself to form part of a distortion of the events that occurred in Parliament and her complicity in a cover-up of Gender Based Violence.
The EFF will continue to pursue the accountability of the Speaker of Parliament, for her role in the use of brute force, to suppress democratic debate in Parliament. There remains a case open against the Speaker for her role in the abuse of Members, and no circus which pretends to be an investigation will absolve her of her barbaric acts in defence of corruption. Ramaphosa will be held accountable for his crimes, and no amount of security or delay tactics will stand in the way of him accounting for his gangsterism and ultimately being removed from office.
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 5 August 2022
