Economic Freedom Fighters MPs Andile Mngxitama and Khanyisile Tshabalala have been suspended, the EFF said on Tuesday.

“The central command team of the Economic Freedom Fighters has taken a decision to take disciplinary action against fighters Andile Mngxitama and Khanyisile Tshabalala,” national spokesman Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi said in a statement.

“This is strictly an internal process and we shall not be engaging the media about it beyond this point.”

The EFF hoped the media would therefore be patient and allow the process its due space.

“Similarly, the leadership hopes that fighters Mngxitama and Tshabalala will also co-operate and give the internal process of the organisation due respect and attention,” Ndlozi said.

On Thursday, Mngxitama had to be escorted out of the Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town, where he had intended holding a press conference ahead of the state-of-the-nation address.

Fights reportedly broke out between EFF members and Mngxitama’s supporters. The EFF members refused to leave the venue and said they wanted to hear what Mngxitama had to say.

According to Mngxitama’s press alert sent earlier that day, the briefing would clarify “why some of the EFF MP’s can’t sing #paybackthemoney”.

In an interview with news channel ANN7 afterwards, Mngxitama said people had learnt from the African National Congress to beat each other up for holding different views.

On Friday, EFF leader Julius Malema questioned Mngxitama’s loyalty to the party.

“If you love the organisation so much, why would you call a press conference on the day of the state-of-the-nation address, where you know the EFF has a programme of action. You love the organisation, yet you want to divert it,” he said.

Mngxitama was expected to hold a press briefing in Johannesburg later on Tuesday morning. SAPA