CALL FOR DA TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST KOHLER-BARNARD

The Office of the Chief calls on the leadership of the Democratic Alliance to break its silence and publicly denounce its filthy mouthed Member of Parliament, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, for bellowing unprintable obscenities in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The party's continued silence following its MP's wild conduct, including the use of an F-word as the DA and COPE MPs walked out in solidarity with one of the MPs during the sitting of Parliament, sends a disturbing message to the public that such a conduct is acceptable and that the party sees nothing wrong with it.

There is absolutely no justification for such vulgarity - regardless of how discontent Kohler-Barnard was with the Deputy Speaker's decision. Such behaviour tarnishes the image of Parliament and undermines the respect the people have in this important institution.

We cannot allow a situation whereby unruly Parliamentarians turns the institution into a shebeen. The DA must come out and publicly condemn its behaviour.

The Office of the Chief Whip will ask Parliament to consider taking action against the DA's MP.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC Parliamentary Caucus, February 17 2010

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