Deputy President hiding behind sub judice rule to avoid accountability
4 March 2014
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's refusal today to answer my question on the use of signal jamming devices and other security measures in Parliament on 12 February, on the grounds that the matter is sub judice, is nothing more than a political ploy to avoid executive accountability.
I asked the Deputy President to guarantee that the Executive will never again be allowed to use similar measures in violation of our Constitution and the sanctity of Parliament. The brutal removal of an entire caucus from the House by disguised members of the security services can never be allowed to happen again.
National Assembly (NA) Rule 67 was never intended to be used to obstruct the functioning of Parliament.
Invoking this rule to avoid addressing these gross violations of our Constitution is contrary to the spirit of our democracy.