Chaos Erupts in Parliament
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and several party members were forcibly removed from a parliamentary session today following a fiery confrontation with the Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet. The disruption occurred during a question-and-answer segment, escalating into accusations of procedural unfairness and “dictatorship.”
The Clash
Before the point of order was raised Malema told the speaker that “I am not your gardener”. Malema then raised a point of order, challenging the Deputy Speaker’s ruling that President Cyril Ramaphosa had the “prerogative” to answer questions as he saw fit. Malema argued that the President was constitutionally obligated to provide satisfactory answers to MPs, stating, “He doesn’t have such a prerogative. He is duty-bound to answer to the people we represent.”
When Lotriet demanded Malema cite a specific parliamentary rule supporting his objection, the EFF leader retorted, “Why must I show the rule when you don’t show yours?” The exchange grew increasingly hostile, with Malema accusing the Deputy Speaker of “abusing power” and targeting EFF members. He said she is a “white madam thinking she can bully the EFF with her whiteness“