EFF’s Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi Urges Speaker of National Assembly Didiza to Cover Legal Costs
The EFF’s Deputy National spokesperson, Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi, has called on Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise Didiza, to take responsibility and cover the legal costs in the case against the party’s Members of Parliament (MPs).
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mkhaliphi criticized Didiza’s decision to force the EFF to pay the legal costs in the court case brought by the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF). The case stems from an incident in 2018 when EFF MPs physically attacked journalists outside the parliament building in Cape Town.
Mkhaliphi argued that Didiza’s decision is unfair and sets a dangerous precedent for future cases involving the media and parliamentarians. “This is a blatant attempt to silence the voice of the people and suppress the free flow of information,” Mkhaliphi stated.
She also highlighted that the EFF has always been a strong proponent of media freedom and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the media is free from any form of political interference. “We have always supported the fight against corruption and have actively participated in exposing corrupt individuals and companies through the media,” she added.
Mkhaliphi emphasized that the EFF is not condoning any form of violence against journalists and has taken full responsibility for the actions of its MPs. However, she pointed out that the party has already faced disciplinary action and paid a R500,000 fine to SANEF as part of the settlement agreement.
Therefore, in the interest of fairness and justice, Mkhaliphi urged Didiza to reconsider her decision and take responsibility for the legal costs incurred by the EFF. “As the Speaker of the National Assembly, it is your duty to uphold the constitution and ensure that all citizens, including parliamentarians, are treated fairly and justly,” she stated.
Mkhaliphi also reminded Didiza of her previous statement during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2019, where she called for a “culture of respect” among MPs. “If there is a culture of respect, then there should also be a culture of accountability. The Speaker should lead by example and take responsibility for the actions of parliamentarians under her watch,” Mkhaliphi asserted.
The EFF’s call for Didiza to cover the legal costs has gained support from other political parties and civil society organizations. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also called on Didiza to reconsider her decision and take responsibility for the costs.
In response to the growing pressure, Didiza’s office released a statement, stating that she is considering the EFF’s request and will make a decision soon. “The Speaker is aware of the concerns raised and takes them seriously. She is currently considering the matter and will communicate her decision in due course,” the statement read.
The EFF has stated that while they await Didiza’s decision, they will continue to fight for media freedom and uphold the values of accountability and justice. Mkhaliphi concluded the press conference by urging all citizens to join the EFF in their fight against any attempts to silence the media and suppress the free flow of information in South Africa.
In conclusion, the EFF’s call for Speaker Didiza to pay the legal costs in the case against their MPs is not only a fight for justice, but also a fight to uphold the values of media freedom and accountability. It is a fight that all citizens must support in order to safeguard our democracy and ensure that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions. Let us stand with the EFF in their pursuit of a fair and just society.
