The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stated on Friday that it is not fazed by the sanctions imposed on its Members of Parliament (MPs) and does not feel intimidated, calling the recommendation made by Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee “nonsensical and patently partisan.”

This after EFF members were found guilty of calling President Cyril Ramaphosa “a money launderer”.

The committee recommended the suspension of Sinawo Thambo, Natasha Ntlangwini, and Mothusi Montwedi from April 1 to April 30, without remuneration.

A fine equivalent to 30 days salary was imposed on Anthony Matumba, Paulnita Marais, Babalwa Mathulela and Naledi Chira, while Tseko Mafanya and Yoliswa Yako received a sanction of a fine equivalent to 15 days salary.

The party highlighted that this can only be described as an “abuse of power by the African National Congress (ANC) and a stifling of democratic debate and accountability” in Parliament.

“These sanctions once again prove how the ANC utilises its majority in Parliament to not only cover up corruption, but equally punish those who exercised their duties of holding the executive accountable on behalf of the people of South Africa. For the ruling party to sanction the opposition ahead of Provincial and National Elections, for expressing political speech against their President in a democratic Parliament, has the hallmarks of dictatorship,” said the EFF.

It said the sanctions come from people of an organisation that has “lost grips with reality”. Over the past few months, Parliament impeached the Public Protector and two judges and recently suspended EFF MPs, including party leader Julius Malema for protesting at the State of the Nation Address in 2023.

The EFF said the ANC was “on its final knees”, saying one of the characteristics of a dying ruling party was the suppression of opposition voices.

“The 29th of May 2024 is an opportunity to remove those who play a key role in the movement of illicit financial flows in South Africa, money laundering and the destruction of our economy, and leading the charge of money launderers is Cyril Ramaphosa,” said the EFF.