Is it even classed as a parliamentary debate if the EFF doesn’t get involved in physical altercations and undermine any attempts to run a functional democracy?

No, probably not.

Yesterday, Julius Malema addressed the National Assembly, and introduced a debate about insourcing in the government. When he left the podium, he became involved in an exchange of words with DA MP Ghaleb Cachalia, and things escalated from there.

News24 reports:

As presiding officer Madala Ntombela called for order, EFF MP Godrich Gardee also charged in Cachalia’s direction, pointing his finger.

Meanwhile, Malema, who had since made his way back, and EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi had to restrain their assault-accused colleague Marshall Dlamini who grabbed hold of DA MP Denis Joseph’s arm in a heated exchange.

That’s the same Marshall Dlamini who slapped a security officer at SONA back in February.

Watch from the 7:25 mark below:

Here’s another angle of the scuffle:

When will the thuggery of the EFF stop in parliament. How are they able to get away with so much with no consequences. Is out parliament so toothless to act?? pic.twitter.com/upbE3V2GeY

— Goolam (@goolammv) September 17, 2019

I guess when you know you have nothing resembling a convincing argument to present, it’s all about showmanship and giving your supporters what they want to see.

In the EFF’s case, that’s basic thuggery.

The party is clearly rattled, with Malema’s looting of VBS Bank laid bare for all to see, and opposition party members weren’t going to let them forget that story in a hurry.

According to the Daily Maverick, it was chirping on that front that led to the above altercation:

It was “VBS” muttered from the DA benches that got EFF leader Julius Malema to react, targeting Galeb Cachalia with some choice words. DA MP Denis Joseph intervened and had his tie yanked as several other EFF MPs, including Marshall Dlamini, national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and secretary-general Godrich Gardee joined the fray — as did at least two DA MPs…

Freedom Front Plus MP Wouter Wessels not only said Malema’s comments on the white-dominated private sector was motivated “to bleed us dry”, but also tackled the EFF leader on VBS.

“The EFF is stealing people’s money from VBS and then they talk about insourcing. Look into the mirror,” Wessels said before stepping off the podium.

And DA MP Natasha Mazzone also took a VBS detour:

“I speak on behalf of the pensioners of VBS (who lost their money). I speak on behalf of the security guards of VBS who no longer have a job,” she said before touting the free market and saying insourcing was just “an ANC employment agency” in State Capture.

When the going gets tough, the EFF get physical. I think Barry Bateman said it best…

I leave you with Zapiro’s latest cartoon, again on the Daily Maverick, regarding Malema:

[sources:news24&dailymaverick&dailymaverick]