EFF Leader Julius Malema in the Pretoria High Court, 23 July 2019. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema appeared at the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday alongside the party’s deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, its secretary-general, Godrich Gardee, and other high profile members in support of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan has applied to urgently interdict the public protector’s report finding guilty of having violated the constitution through his alleged involvement in the so-called Sars “rogue unit” and through the report’s finding that he lied to parliament and the Zondo commission about meetings with the controversial Gupta family.
READ MORE: Malema defends the EFF’s ‘flip-flopping’ on Gordhan
The EFF’s support does not just take the form of their protesting outside the courthouse or in the presence of its leaders inside – they are opposing the interdict alongside Mkhwebane, whose report resulted from a complaint laid by EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu.
Or, as the party itself put it on Twitter: “The leadership of the radical and militant Economic Emancipation Movement is at the Pretoria High Court today.
“The EFF instructed its lawyers to join in defence of the public protector against the urgent interdict that Jamnadas (Gordhan’s middle name and the EFF’s nickname for him) lodged in light of the report on the rogue unit.”
Members of the EFF are seen picketing outside the Pretoria High Court, 23 July 2019, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles
EFF leader Julius Malema is seen with Godrich Gardee (L) and Floyd Shivambu (R) at the Pretoria High Court. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Gordhan has argued on Tuesday that the findings against him by the public protector are incorrect and have had both a personal and political impact on him.
He believes the report has had a negative effect on his reputation and standing as a minister.
Mkhwebane’s report sees her ordering President Cyril Ramaphosa, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the national police commissioner, the speaker of the National Assembly, and the minister of state security to apply the various remedial actions stipulated in the report.
READ MORE: Gordhan lied to parliament, Zondo about Gupta meetings – Mkhwebane
These include the president taking “appropriate disciplinary action” against Gordhan; parliamentary speaker Thandi Modise hauling Gordhan in front of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests; the NPA finalising the court process relating to its investigation into the “rogue unit”; and police commissioner Khehla Sithole investigating Gordhan’s “criminal conduct”.
She also recommended that Police Minister Bheki Cele investigate criminality on the part of Gordhan and others involved in the intelligence unit.
The president is expected to act against Gordhan in 30 days.
EFF Leader Julius Malema and his second-in-command Floyd Shivambu (left) in the Pretoria High Court, 23 July 2019. Picture: Jacques Nelles
(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)
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