Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema responded angrily to being kicked out of parliament violently by the security police.
Julius Malema along with the members of parliament for his party were forcefully removed from the house after causing disruptions. They were demanding that Ramaphosa must account for his Phala Phala scandal first before he could address the nation.
The speaker of the national assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was however not having it. She called the security police to forcefully remove the red berets from parliament.
Julius Malema was evidently not happy about it, and said they will be taking legal action against this removal from parliament. He said president Cyril Ramaphosa was using dictatorship to silence those calling for him to be held accountable.
“Welcome to dictatorship. Our country has turned against its constitution. Police responsibility is outside parliament. Inside parliament is the protection services,” said Julius Malema.
The EFF have however maintained that they will hold Ramaphosa accountable, and that if he thought this matter was to swept under the carpet, he will be seeing them once again pushing for accountability.
ANC member of parliament, Hope Papo however said the removal of EFF members from parliament was justified because they refused to behave themselves even though the speaker had called them to respect the house rules.
He adds that it is unfortunate that the red berets chose to ignore the speaker and continued with their protest, while disrupting president Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address.
Former ANC veteran, Carl Niehaus said the EFF should be applauded for standing up to president Cyril Ramaphosa. He said Ramaphosa should never have been allowed to address the nation.
“Well done to Cde Vuyo Zungula president of the ATM, Julius Malema, president of the EFF, and all the MP’s of the EFF for the courage they showed tonight. The corrupt Cyril Ramaphosa should not be allowed to speak tonight, this state of the nation address is an utter aberration,” he said.
(WATCH) EFF leader Julius Malema speaks after he and other the EFF members were kicked out at #SONA2023. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/mz7U4DIowd
— Bulelani Phillip (@BulelaniPhillip) February 9, 2023