Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighter party, speaks to the media outside the parliament
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighter party, speaks to the media outside the parliament
As Malusi Gigaba began his National Budget speech for 2018, there was a distinct absence of one group usually a fixture in Parliament. The EFF did not turn up to the gathering.
The red berets are best known for stealing the show at events like these. Whether they are being ejected or leaving on their own accord, Julius Malema’s party always have a point to make. But today, they made a decision to boycott the National Assembly.
Why did the EFF boycott the National Budget speech?
Speaking on their twitter account on Tuesday night, the Economic Freedom Fighters said they were staying away from Parliament as a direct protest against finance minister Malusi Gigaba.
They referred to his alleged ties with the Guptas, and accused Gigaba of “protecting the corrupt interests” of the Indian billionaires:
The EFF rejects Malusi Gigaba and will boycott the Budget Vote if it is him who will be presenting it. #GigabaMustFall
— EFF (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 20, 2018
To avoid disruptions, we will stay away from the house for the entire country to see that Ramaphosa is sustaining the legacy of disreputable ministers like Gigaba, …
— EFF (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 20, 2018
…awarding them with the privilege of presenting the country’s budget which they have ensured it benefits corrupt interests of the Gupta syndicate. #GigabaMustFall
— EFF (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 20, 2018
EFF maintain ANC opposition
The party also cast dispersions on Gigaba’s future under Cyril Ramaphosa. They don’t believe that a new dawn can truly begin whilst a “disreputable, corrupt and unpatriotic” minister like Malusi is still in a job.
Julius Malema has been keen to keep the pressure on the ANC, after they enjoyed a rather positive week following Jacob Zuma’s resignation last week. Malema has already grilled Ramaphosa on land expropriation and predicted the president “would not last 12 months” in his new job.
