EFF on Parliament fire

The EFF is adamant that failure to comply with safety regulations is to blame for the damage at Parliament. Image: EFF/ Twitter

EFF: Parliament fire could have been avoided if not for negligence

The EFF insists that reports on Parliament safety systems have long forewarned of the risks amid a lack of compliance.

EFF on Parliament fire

The EFF is adamant that failure to comply with safety regulations is to blame for the damage at Parliament. Image: EFF/ Twitter

The Economic Freedom Fighters are adamant that audits of Parliament safety measures have long indicated major issues at the national key point.

EFF: Parliament fire could have been avoided

In a statement issued by the party following the fire that devastated the historical buildings, the EFF were adamant that the incident could have been avoided.

“The EFF has gained access to Safety, Health and Environment Audit of Parliament, and Site/ Offices Inspections and assessment reports. The audit and reports show complete disregard for safety, health and environment regulations, and the fire that wrecked Parliament buildings could have been avoided.”

The EFF says that reports into Parliament’s compliance with safety laws exposed major issues, proving that policy was not implemented. Interestingly, one of the points indicated as ‘high risk’ in the report included the lack of ‘procedure to deal with emergencies’.

EFF on Parliament fire
The EFF is adamant that failure to comply with safety regulations is to blame for the damage at Parliament. Image: EFF/ Twitter

EFF ‘not shocked’ by negligence

In line with this, the EFF has in no uncertain terms condemned the negligence that led to the devastation that has now transpired. 

“The EFF is not shocked about the lack of compliance with basic safety, health, and environment regulations. Parliament management operates on an ad hoc basis. It has failed to put even essential systems in place to ensure that Parliament buildings are in conducive conditions.”

The Red Berets have reiterated their motion to use the incident as an opportunity to finally move Parliament to Tshwane and away from its current ‘colonial’ post. 

“The EFF maintains that the fire serves as an opportunity to relocate Parliament to Gauteng permanently. Whatever money is going to be allocated in the immediate future should be dedicated to relocating Parliament to Tshwane, where the Union Buildings reside, to relieve the burden of government transport and accomodation costs. But also, a move to Tshwane will allow us to do away with the Anglo-Boer War pact that was meant to share resources at the time of the establishment of the Union of South Africa, at the exclusion of Africans.”