The Citizen reported earlier on Friday that the EFF had released a statement saying they slapped a plain-clothes policeman who was doing security at Sona as “necessary self-defence” after they caught wind of the planned assassination on the party’s leader, Julius Malema, which was set to take place in parliament during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Thursday night.
The statement read: “When Malema and the EFF leadership were unreasonably stopped by these white shirts in parliament, after the house had been adjourned, we all thought this was the moment and reacted with the necessary self-defence. The event of a white security man in black and white, being pushed and clapped in the face, followed him violently pulling Malema from passing through the corridor doors of the national assembly.”
This comes after a video went viral on social media showing an EFF member, believed to be MP Marshall Dlamini, slapping the policeman, since identified as Warrant Officer Johan Carstens.
Twitter, however, was not convinced, and the party has since been roundly roasted on the platform.
Parliament said in a statement on Friday that its presiding officers condemned the alleged assault.
The statement from parliament said: “An initial report alleges that Warrant Officer Johan Carstens, responsible for cordoning off the exit area for the procession, faced sudden confrontation and was attacked by the EFF MP, resulting in facial injuries.
“Officer Carstens has opened an assault case with the police.”
WATCH: EFF member hits white plainclothes cop at Sona after confrontation with Shivambu
The statement went on to describe the conduct of the MP as “shameful”, while at the same time confirming parliament was probing the matter.
“The presiding officers will await a full report on the matter in order to determine an appropriate course of action.”
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