Integrity commissioner to probe EFF

Economic Freedom Fighters members outside Parliament. Photo: @Eusebius

Economic Freedom Fighters members outside Parliament. Photo: @Eusebius

Published Jul 1, 2014

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Johannesburg - Gauteng legislature speaker Ntombi Mekgwe will ask the integrity commissioner to investigate Tuesday's conduct of EFF members.

“We are referring the matter to the integrity commission. They will advise us on how to move forward,” Mekgwe told reporters in Johannesburg.

Economic Freedom Fighters members were asked to leave the provincial legislature on Tuesday because of what was deemed inappropriate clothing.

The Times Live reported that Mekgwe said the EFF's red overalls were deemed inappropriate because they had the word “Asijiki” (we will not retract), which she said was party insignia, inscribed on the back.

“Our standing house rules do not allow such behaviour,” Mekgwe told reporters.

Legislature secretary Peter Skosana said when the EFF members were asked to leave they refused.

“They then continued to conduct themselves in a grossly disorderly manner which is unbecoming of a member of legislature, disrupted the proceedings of the house and manhandled officials, security and members of the SA Police Service, who were called to accompany them out of the house,” Skosana said.

Earlier the EFF issued a statement in which they alleged Gauteng police assaulted two of its members when they were forcefully removed from the legislature chamber after refusing to obey Mekgwe's ruling.

“Our leader Benjamin Disolwane was manhandled and handcuffed incorrectly by the police. As a result he was injured and is waiting for the ambulance,” EFF legislature spokeswoman Omphile Maotwe said earlier.

Another member, Mgcini Faku, was taken to a doctor for “urgent” medical attention.

Gauteng police spokesman Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said he would respond to the allegations only once a case had been opened.

Sapa

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