South African opposition MPs are facing sanctions for making statements that were considered offensive and defamatory towards President Cyril Ramaphosa over two years ago, South Africa's parliament said on Thursday.
The Powers and Privileges Committee of Parliament has accused a group of parliamentarians of showing disrespect towards parliament by referring to the president as a "money launderer" during a session in the house.
Nine members of parliament from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party were found guilty of their refusal to retract the remarks made during a presidential budget speech in June 2022.
The Powers and Privileges Committee of Parliament has accused a group of parliamentarians of showing disrespect towards parliament by referring to the president as a "money launderer" during a session in the house.
Nine members of parliament from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party were found guilty of their refusal to retract the remarks made during a presidential budget speech in June 2022.
The committee reached a guilty verdict after careful consideration and listening to arguments from both the EFF and the African National Congress.
Furthermore, parliament recommended that the National Assembly suspend three EFF members from office without remuneration for a month. The other four were fined an amount equal to 30 days' salary and two more — of 15 days' wages. Additionally, the MPs are obligated to offer apologies to both the president and parliament.
However, EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys stated that the party "condemns" the sanctions and is not concerned or intimidated by them.
Within the past few months, the nine legislators have reportedly become the third group of "red berets" to receive a guilty verdict. Two other EFF members were also convicted of contempt by the committee for their acts of disruption during the State of the Nation Address in 2023 and August 2022.