EFF defends officer assault

THE red berets have come out guns blazing after a police officer, who was slapped by EFF MP Marshall Dlamini shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) earlier this week laid charges, saying the assault was in “self-defence” against “assassination threats” directed at its leader.

A video of the incident has gone viral showing EFF MPS in a scuffle with security officials, ending in the plain-clothed officer being slapped.

“An initial report alleges that Warrant Officer Johan Carstens, responsible for cordoning off the exit area for the procession, faced sudden confrontation and was attacked by an EFF MP, resulting in facial injuries,” the statement from Parliament said.

Carstens has opened an assault case. Parliament’s presiding officers condemned the incident and described the conduct of the MP as “shameful”, while at the same time confirming Parliament was probing the matter.

Spokesperson Nompumelelo Simango said: “The event of a white security man in black and white, being pushed and clapped in the face, followed him violently pulling the CIC Malema, from passing through the corridor doors of the National Assembly.”

Simango added that the EFF was “not moved or intimidated by these reports of a security threat”.