08-05-2025
Trollip denies he was assaulted in altercation at Parliament described as ‘wild'
EFF MP Sam Matiase allegedly assaulted ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip.
Trollip denies he was physically assaulted but confirms 'a disagreeable incident'.
Trollip says he reported the matter to Matiase's party leader, Julius Malema, for him to deal with.
When is a punch-up not a punch-up? When the leader of a political party says it wasn't.
Wednesday's meeting of Parliament's Chief Whips Forum ended in an alleged punch-up between EFF MP Sam Matiase and ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip.
While the details are sketchy, the EFF does not deny a punch-up happened – sources say Trollip's glasses and hearing aid flew into the air – but the alleged victim is insistent no physical assault happened.
As is so often the case with matters before Parliament, perspectives vary greatly.
A source who witnessed the 'altercation' said: 'It was wild.'
Sources claim towards the end of the meeting, which sits behind closed doors and which was held in Parliament's Good Hope Chamber, Matiase approached Trollip and confronted him.
Trollip allegedly responded, telling Matiase to 'get lost'.
'Then Matiase got quite aggressive… and he swung for Athol and knocked his glasses off his head and his phone went flying two rows away from him.
'The phone and glasses went flying, and the problem is that Athol's hearing aids are also linked to his glasses.'
According to the sources, MPs from the ANC and DA and Parliament's officials had a hard time trying to break the two men up.
They claimed Trollip's jacket had come off and his bag was open and in tatters.
The EFF's take on the incident is that Matiase was provoked by Trollip, who allegedly has longstanding resentment towards the party.
Matiase referred questions to party spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
Thambo said: 'I am aware of an altercation between Mr Trollip and Sam Matiase, which we have come to understand was provoked by a short-tempered lashing out by Trollip against Matiase.
'We are not interested in commenting on the nature of the altercation and hope Mr Trollip can get the help he needs to resolve his seemingly unresolved resentment towards the EFF from past political engagements – including his tenure as mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay.'
Trollip told News24: 'Mr Matiase did not physically attack me, hence I suffered no injuries. There was a disagreeable incident arising from his provocation and unbecoming behaviour.'
While politicians are generally quick to lay criminal charges against offending colleagues in the legislature, Trollip only reported the matter to EFF leader Julius Malema.
'I've informed his party leader about the incident. I'm happy that it will be dealt with.'
