POLOKWANE – The EFF is an applicant in a high court order that was served to the Limpopo Legislature on Tuesday after opposition party members of the Legislature, the DA, EFF and Cope walked out during a sitting on Thursday when the ANC made a bid to remove the speaker, Merriam Ramadwa.
The ANC’s motion to remove Ramadwa as speaker was to be debated on Tuesday, but was postponed due to the court order that was served earlier on that day.
The court order interdicts the Limpopo Legislature from proceeding to debate the motion tabled during the sitting of Thursday, 27 August and nullifies the decision of the house to adopt such a motion.
Acting Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Lehlogonolo Masoga, said during a media briefing on Wednesday, that the legislature will vigorously oppose the matter in court.
“This process has already begun and we will leave no stone unturned in defending the integrity of the institution as a component of the three arms of government with a distinct constitutional mandate,” Masoga said.
According to Masoga, the EFF has a right to challenge Legislature because the institute is not above the law, but subject to the law.
Asked whether a secret ballot will be held at the next sitting to decide whether the speaker will be removed or not, Masoga said there was no Legislature rule that makes provision for a secret ballot.
According to Masoga, by law Ramadwa is still the Speaker of the Legislature, but she is not currently in office as she was suspended by the ANC as a member of their party. She is thus not allowed to serve on behalf of the ANC.
