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Limpopo Speaker motion derailed

Polokwane - The ANC in the Limpopo legislature's bid to remove its suspended speaker Merriam Ramadwa was dealt a blow on Tuesday when the EFF secured a court interdict against it.

ANC members were set to remove Ramadwa on Tuesday and introduce Pauline Boshielo.

It is alleged that the EFF opposed the move because of the procedure followed by the ANC to remove Ramadwa.

Court documents were served to Deputy Speaker Lehlohonolo Masoga on the eve of the sitting.

EFF provincial leader Mike Mathebe told News24 the party approached the court because the ANC was violating the legislature's procedure for removing the speaker.

"We are not against their plan, we are against violation of legislation," said Mathebe.

He accused the ANC of trying to use its majority to disregard the law.

"It's their speaker, they can remove her, but they must follow proper procedures."

Last week Thursday, the ANC pushed for a motion of no confidence, but opposition parties snubbed it and walked out.

ANC Chief Whip Falaza Mdaka confirmed that the legislature had been served with a court interdict halting Ramadwa's removal.

Mdaka said while they would comply, they did not agree with the content.

"We will abide by the order in the meantime until the matter is resolved properly. We don’t think that they have a case," he said.

Mdaka accused the EFF and its legal advisor of deliberately handing over the court interdict late to deny the ANC an opportunity to swiftly oppose the motion.

"We were served with a court interdict which was apparently to the deputy speaker's house. We don’t understand why it was served at the deputy speaker's house," he added.

Mdaka said the papers was supposed to be served at the legislature.

"Because in the morning everybody leaves the house to their places of work, and we work here at legislature.

"We believe that it was intentionally delivered at the deputy speaker's house knowing that he was not at home so that they will not have time to defend the order."

However, the ANC was optimistic and vowed to continue with the motion.

"We are just removing the Speaker we are not voting for a new Speaker."

Ramadwa has been unpopular and ANC leaders have repeatedly asked her to resign but she defied the instruction since July.

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