‘EFF members are a bunch of clowns’ – ANC (Dumisa Ntuli)

Spokesperson for African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng Dumisa Ntuli says their party condemns the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for creating what he calls ”anarchy at the provincial legislature”. On Tuesday 22 July, EFF members, leaded by their party head Julius Malema, marched to the Gauteng Legislature to voice their dissatisfaction with the way their senior members were treated.

Last month, eight EFF members were kicked out of the legislature by the provincial speaker Ntombi Mekgwe, because they were dressed in their party’s red overalls that had contravening slogans which are no allowed in the legislature.

“Every institution has a right to set standards and procedures to respect their decorum of their organisation. The example in point is why EFF leader Dali Mpofu cannot wear red overalls and EFF-branded insignia in the Marikana commission?” questions Ntuli.

Earlier this week, chaos turned out during EFF’s protest when they allegedly forced their way into the provincial legislature and police intervened by using rubber bullets, stun grenades, tear gas and – at some point – live ammunition to restore calm and disperse EFF members, who had allegedly turned violent. “The legislature is the respected institution for debates to advance the mandates given by the voters,” said Ntuli.

He emphasised that the rules of the legislature must be respected and any violent conduct, intimidation under the guise of staging a sitting, will not be accepted. “We have always encouraged members of the opposition and supporters, as well as the general public, to adhere to the non-violent and democratic values of our Constitution.”

He says they call upon the police to promptly investigate all activities of EFF members by using cameras (CCTV) and take swift action against them. “The criminal actions of EFF cannot be tolerated in the country where the peaceful right to protest is allowed.”

Ntuli said EFF’s conduct is similar to the conduct of Boko Haram in Nigeria. “The EFF has a bestowed duty and responsibility to use the legislature platform to represent its constituency, yet this has been reduced to kindergarten – the EFF must undergo thorough re-orientation of the basic rules in the legislature.”

Ntuli adds EFF members stole cellphones and laptops belonging to the legislature staff and members of the provincial legislature. He also allege that they helped themselves to the entire food that was prepared for guests. “It is more disgraceful that the stealing and looting was done in full view of their leader Julius Malema – without any restrain. Later in the afternoon, after the police intervened to remove them from inside the building, the EFF members broke into several shops and looted clothes, creating havoc in the streets.”

He concluded by saying everyone can see that EFF members are a bunch of clowns who cannot make any meaningful contribution but want to cause mayhem. They must prove themselves in real debates – not drama and protest actions that have no meaning to the legislature.”

EFF spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was unavailable for comment.