EFF MP Naledi Chirwa fined for failure to attend Parliament due to her sick baby

An Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP has been fined by the party after she failed to attend to her parliamentary duties and did not give the party a reason for her absence – that her newly-born child was sick.

On Monday, EFF MP Naledi Chirwa issued an apology on X after being fined by the party for not being in Parliament for the budget speech on 21 February.

Public Apology on failure to attend Budget Speech in Parliament on the 21st of February 2024 🙏🏾🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/MGTIK5I7oq

— Fighter 🇵🇸 (@NalediChirwa) March 4, 2024

Apology

Chirwa said her absence was due to her four-month-old daughter being ill. The MP said she had to go home to take care of her.

“I am regretful for failing to attend Parliament. My four-month-old daughter was sick and so I went home. My daughter is currently with my mother until post-election. This is to allow me the opportunity to be completely engaged in organisational work during this period and to form part of the collective that will usher [in] an EFF government post May 29,” said the MP.

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Chirwa said she should have reported her absence to the designated whip in their caucus in Parliament, rather than to the organisation.

She also clarified that though she was at home, she was still working online on the day.

“I attended the PC for Higher Education in Parliament on the virtual platform on the same day, and contributed to the business of the day,” said the new mother.

However, she said she was unable to attend the budget speech digitally, which would have allowed her to participate from home.

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Commitment, valid reasons and fines

Chirwa’s apology follows EFF leader Julius Malema’s commitment to instilling accountability from MPs who failed to attend the impeachment vote of Western Cape judge president John Hlophe on 21 February.

It has come to my attention that 11 @EFFSouthAfrica members of parliament did not attend yesterday’s parliamentary seating without valid reasons. We have asked SG to correspond with them and we should be getting some way forward in the next 24 hours.

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 22, 2024

As part of her public apology, Chirwa said she was ordered by the EFF to purchase two gazebos before the end of March.

According to the EFF’s official Facebook page, each gazebo costs R5 000.

Furthermore, Chirwa emphasised her loyalty and devotion to the EFF.

“I do not doubt my commitment to the movement of the people and the responsibility we have been entrusted with in the Parliament of South Africa.

“This is the primary reason why I went on maternity leave a day before I gave birth and returned two months prior to the lapse of my maternity leave,” said Chirwa.

The Citizen reached out to the EFF and comment will be added once received.

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Reactions

The MP’s public apology was met with mixed emotions on social media, with some people saying the punishment is drastic and others accepting the apology. See some of the reactions below:

Apology accepted nkosazana. Hope the little princess is doing fine now…

— Mabutho (@Mabutho_1) March 4, 2024

Reading this made me sad that as a young woman you are made to explain yourself publicly in this manner. The misogynistic culture that denies you the basic dignity of finding your balance of motherhood and leadership should alarm us all.

— Kananelo (@kaysexwale) March 5, 2024

A mother having to apologise for rushing to attend to her sick daughter (read prioritise) her sick child above anything and everything that was happening at that moment is made to apologise publicly and state that she regrets it, by males whose children are being taken care of by…

— Khanyi Magubane (@Khanyi_Magubane) March 5, 2024

Naledi’s apology is horrific for many reasons but the most heinous part – for me- is where she mentions to have only gone on maternity just a day before giving birth AND returned to work a whole TWO MONTHS before her leave lapsed. That’s no badge of honour, it’s criminal!

— Ree (@Moanerleaser) March 5, 2024