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EFF members in parliament.
- Several EFF deputies have been found guilty of misconduct for disrupting a parliamentary session.
- The MPs were found guilty of misconduct after they stormed the podium as Public Business Minister Pravin Gordhan delivered a speech in 2019.
- A sanction will be issued once the deputies involved have taken steps.
EFF MPs who stormed onto the stage as Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan was delivering a speech were found guilty of various counts of misconduct.
With the exception of the EFF, all members of the Committee on Powers and Privileges of Parliament agreed to a guilty plea against the members involved.
The EFF parliamentarians involved will have the opportunity to make representations, before the committee decides on a sanction.
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Committee chair Philly Mapulane said:
“The committee finds the accused members guilty, and therefore in an instance where the committee finds the members guilty, we must allow the members to [who have been found guilty] the opportunity to make presentations before a penalty can be imposed. The convicted members … will be sent a statement and given an opportunity to make statements. “
In July 2019, 20 EFF MPs took the podium as Gordhan delivered his budget speech. This prevented the minister from delivering his speech until they were removed from the House for parliamentary security.
READ | MP Paulsen’s ‘threat’ triggered a panic attack – Van Damme
Members of the EFF are subject to the rules of Parliament and the Law of Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislators.
Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan.
Advocate Ncumisa Mayosi, the initiator, presented the final charges to the committee on Thursday.
EFF MP Nthako Sam Matiase faced seven charges.
Some of the charges against Matiase included the violation of section 7 (a) of the Act when he deliberately refused and / or did not obey the rules of the National Assembly (NA) by persisting with a point of order after the president, whose decision it was final and binding, it had ruled that the matter raised was not a point of order.
Other guilty findings included:
- Failed and / or refused to obey NA rules when crossing the chamber floor in front of the benches during the procedure.
- Matiase was found guilty of knowingly engaging in conduct that created serious disorder or disturbance in the House.
- Repeatedly undermining the authority of the president.
- Repeatedly refusing to obey the presiding officer’s decisions and repeatedly disrespecting and interrupting the presiding officer.
Thirteen other EFF deputies were also found guilty on charges similar to those of Matiase. These 13 members faced five charges each.
Are:
- Khanya Criminal
- Makosini Chabangu;
- Thokozane Langa;
- Brian Madlingozi;
- Mathibe Mohlala;
- Montwedi assistant;
- Thembi Msane;
- Dumisane Mthenjani;
- Nazier Paulsen;
- Henry Shembeni;
- Annacleta Siwisa;
- Sunny spring Sunday;
- Lorato Tito
EFF MPs Ntokozo Hlonyana and Rosina Komane were found guilty of deliberately engaging in conduct that created serious disorder or disturbance in the chamber, when they crossed the room during the proceedings.
READ ALSO | EFF MPs accused of disrupting SONA off the hook, but Gordhan attack has yet to be investigated
Other findings of guilt against the couple included:
- Physically intervening, preventing, obstructing or hindering the removal of other members, including themselves, from the room when the president ordered their removal.
- Undermining the authority of the presiding officer, refusing to obey the decisions of the presiding officer, and interrupting the presiding officer as he addresses the House.
- Persisting in making serious allegations against the Minister of Public Companies without adequate grounds or following the correct procedure.
