Sir
The Congress of the People is appalled at and strongly condemns the consistent conduct of Julius Malema and the EFF Members of Parliament which is in clear violation of their Oath as MP’s.
Section 48 of the constitution clearly stipulates that before they take their seats in the parliament they must “swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the constitution”.
During last week’s Presidency Budget debate Mr Malema behaved in an unbecoming manner by openly, arrogantly and defiantly calling on people to “occupy the land” within the chambers of the very parliament charged with the authority to enforce the constitution.
He has been consistent in this regard as well as leading his MP’s to sit down when a certain part of our National Anthem is sung in parliament.
This is undoubtedly inconsistent with the Oath they took as Members of Parliament.
By calling on people to “occupy the land” suggests to ordinary people that it be done without due regard for the existing planning legislation as passed by parliament, legislatures or municipal councils.
We have witnessed the suffering of vulnerable people because of this leadership failure.
This is constitutional delinquency of the worst order and must be strongly condemned by all law-abiding leaders and citizens.
They have a disturbing pattern of conduct of banging the drums of demagoguery inside parliament and in the presence of the State President and the Presiding Officers and no one has the guts to stand up at those moments to immediately call him to order.
We must be reminded of what happened to our democratic institutions when Jacob Zuma used the same parliamentary seat to undermine his constitutional obligations the present disastrous consequences we are faced with as a nation.
Parliament and strong leaders have a constitutional duty to correct constitutional delinquents when they go astray.
Julius Malema and the EFF must choose between participation in parliamentary democracy and extra-parliamentary activity. However, both must take place within the rule of law.
The Congress of the People will continue to act in defense of the constitution without fear or favour.
We have consistently executed this duty since 2008 and we call on all the people of South Africa to rise and protect it.
Pakes Dikgetsi, National Chairperson of the Congress of the People
