For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Parliament said dismissal of EFF case affirms processes for maintaining order; National Treasury welcomes signing of Pension Funds Amendment Act into law; And, Tshwane DA wants EFF’s Obakeng Ramabodu investigated for ‘racist remarks’

Parliament said dismissal of EFF case affirms processes for maintaining order

Parliament welcomed the High Court’s dismissal of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ legal challenge, saying the latest ruling upheld the decisions taken by the Presiding Officers and affirmed the processes followed by Parliament in maintaining order and decorum within the legislative body.

The case relates to incidents during the February 2023 State of the Nation Address, where members of the EFF, including Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Marshall Dlamini, Vuyani Pambo, and Sinawo Tambo raised points of order and engaged in disruptive behaviour.

Parliament noted that despite the Speaker ordering them to cease their conduct and leave the Chamber, the members persisted, leading to their removal by the Serjeant at Arms and the Parliamentary Protection Services.

They were then charged with contempt of Parliament for their actions which were deemed “seriously detrimental to the dignity and orderly procedure of the House”. The EFF challenged this.

Parliament explained that in its judgment, the court “meticulously” examined the events and the corresponding actions taken by Parliament, and found that the disciplinary measures imposed were consistent with the parliamentary rules and were necessary to preserve the integrity and functionality of Parliament.

National Treasury welcomes signing of Pension Funds Amendment Act into law

National Treasury has voiced its approval of the Pension Funds Amendment Act being signed into law by the President Cyril Ramaphosa last week.

This signals the last part of the significant amendments required to implement the two-pot system, which will start on September 1 after proclamation by the President.

The Pension Funds Amendment Act provides for certain amendments to the Pension Funds Act, the Post and Telecommunications-related Matters Act, the Transnet Pension Funds Act, and the Government Employees Pension Law, which are necessary to enable retirement funds, including public sector funds, to implement the two-pot reform.

These changes follow the related amendments to the Income Tax Act, which are contained in the Revenue Laws Amendment Act.

The main intention of the two-pot system reform is to improve South Africa’s retirement outcomes for members at retirement through the preservation of a larger portion of the retirement savings. At the same time, the reform allows some measured access in cases of financial distress without a member having to resign from employment.

And, Tshwane DA wants EFF’s Obakeng Ramabodu investigated for ‘racist remarks’

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane said today it has filed a case with the South African Police Service against Economic Freedom Fighter Tshwane Councillor Obakeng Ramabodu for his alleged racist remarks during July’s Ordinary Council Meeting.

The party has also submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission to investigate him for hate speech and incitement of violence.

A council meeting, which included a Motion of No Confidence against Executive Mayor Cilliers Brink, quickly descended into chaos when the African National Congress and EFF realised they lacked sufficient votes to remove the Mayor.

DA Tshwane Spokesperson Kwena Moloto explained that both parties chose to disrupt the meeting through violence and intimidation.

Ramabodu has since apologised unconditionally.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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