DA takes steps on signal jamming, public order police
16 February 2015
Last week we witnessed the breakdown of our democracy in the Chambers of the National Assembly as the Speaker, Baleka Mbete, and NCOP Chairperson, Thandi Modise, presided over serious violations of our Constitution, and the separation of powers principle.
It is important that steps be taken this week to ensure accountability for the Executive's infringements on Parliament's work, both in relation to the illegal jamming of signal inside the chambers, and the summoning of armed Public Order Police to remove Members from the house.
I have this morning tabled a request for an urgent debate on a matter of public importance (as per rule 103 of the National Assembly) regarding the use of signal jamming devices during the President's State of the Nation Address on 12 February.
This jamming of signal was a grave infringement on the independence of the institution and the freedom of expression of Members and media within the house.