More than 10 MPs from South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters party face disciplinary action after disrupting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s parliamentary question session on Tuesday. Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet said she would refer the MPs to the Speaker for possible sanctions.
The session descended into chaos when EFF MP Omphile Maotwe refused to stop speaking after her time expired, triggering a series of confrontations that saw multiple MPs ejected from the chamber.
The main flashpoint came over the presence of two bodyguards in the chamber, who EFF members said should not have been there during parliamentary proceedings.
“In terms of the rules, when the presiding officer indicates to you that your time has expired, that is it,” Ms Lotriet told Newzroom Afrika. “But unfortunately, this member went on and on and disregarded the authority of the presiding officer.”
The bodyguards were later identified as protection officers for Mr Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile. EFF leader Julius Malema challenged the deputy speaker’s rulings, leading to further disruptions.
Ms Lotriet ordered the removal of several EFF MPs from both the physical chamber and the virtual platform, including chief whip Nontando Noluntshungu and MP Sihle Lonzi.
The confrontations meant Mr Ramaphosa was unable to answer several remaining questions, including ones about South Africa’s diplomatic efforts over the war in Ukraine.
Parliament is currently using the smaller Good Hope Chamber after fire damage to the main building. Ms Lotriet acknowledged this created spatial challenges, saying the area for security personnel “was not clearly demarcated”.
The matter will now go to Parliament’s Powers and Privileges Committee, which can impose sanctions ranging from formal reprimands to month-long suspensions without pay.
Ms Lotriet expressed frustration that the disruptions prevented proper scrutiny of the executive. “A number of members were denied the opportunity to pose questions to the president. And that is a disservice to the public,” she said.
The EFF has a history of parliamentary confrontations. In 2022, two party MPs were suspended for a month without pay for disrupting another Ramaphosa question session. Last year, six EFF members including Mr Malema were barred from the State of the Nation Address after storming the stage.
The party positions itself as a radical voice against what it sees as the ruling African National Congress’s failures to transform South Africa’s economy and address inequality since the end of apartheid.
Critics argue the EFF’s disruptive tactics undermine democratic institutions, while supporters say they represent legitimate protest against government policies.
Speaker Thoko Didiza will now decide whether to formally refer the MPs for disciplinary hearings based on Ms Lotriet’s report. The Powers and Privileges Committee is expected to make its decision in the coming week
