Walkout by COPE, DA

The decision by COPE, with the support of the Democratic Alliance, to walk out of today's sitting of the National Assembly in protest against the ruling on COPE MP Mluleki George is a deplorable conduct that has got no place within a distinguished institution such as Parliament.

It is typical of both COPE and the DA, who have anointed themselves as the paragons of morality and good behaviour, to throw toys out of the pram when they are found wanting on issues of proper conduct.

The decision by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly to give George the matching orders was well considered and sound in terms of the rules of Parliament. Parliament cannot be turned into a circus where rowdy Members of Parliament can impugn on the integrity of the President and hurl insults at fellow MPs just because they disagree with them.

The allegation by Mluleki George that the President of the Republic is leading the nation into lawlessness is outrageous and cannot be taken lightly. When taking office the President and Ministers take an oath or solemn affirmation to obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic. To suggest that the President or his Cabinet have deliberately acted in violation of this constitutional obligation is a serious charge that should be brought before the House through a substantive motion.

We are also astounded by the conduct of DA MP Dianne Kohller-Barnard, who hurled an F-word at the ANC MPs and the Deputy Speaker as she left the House during the walk out. There is absolutely no justification for such unruliness and vulgarity - no matter how much you disagree with your political opponents. The Office of the Chief Whip will ask Parliament to consider taking action against this particular MP to ensure that such conduct is not repeated again.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip ANC Parliamentary Caucus, February 16 2010

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