RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PARLIAMENT

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip is satisfied that, despite the atrocious and shameless collusion between the EFF and the DA - which was well-orchestrated to disrupt, create chaos and cause embarrassment during one of the nation's crucial annual occasions - Parliament was able to proceed with its business and President Jacob Zuma outlined the government's plans during this financial year.

We commend the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and other presiding officers for their professionalism and diligence with which they conducted the sitting - ensuring that the right of the people of South Africa to listen to the government they have democratically elected is protected. This firm and fair application of the rules of the joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament, and relevant law, ensured that Parliament and the President were able to fulfil their constitutional mandate on behalf of the people of South Africa.

The disgraceful antics of the EFF and the DA, which were displayed and witnessed before the entire nation and the international community, during an important occasion where the three spheres of government and the three arms of the state converge, was designed to embarrass not only the governing party, but the entire nation. 

These despicable acts of anarchy represent one of the most direct attacks on the prime institution of our democracy and the people it represents. Such abhorrent behaviour has never been seen in the last 20 years of our constitutional democracy, and is deserving of an outright condemnation by all sensible South Africans who value and uphold our constitution and its democratic institutions.

What took place last night during the SONA, driven by the EFF-DA alliance, is part of a strategic and consistent plan to relentlessly discredit and undermine Parliament and other democratic institutions with a view to render them ungovernable. It is therefore imperative, that Parliament continues to unapologetically apply the rules and the law, to preserve the integrity and decorum of the institution in defence of our democracy and the rights of the electorate to a functional national legislature. It would be highly erroneous on the part of the EFF and its fellow travellers in the DA to think that this Parliament would fold its arms as rampant anarchy and thuggery undermine our hard-fought for democratic gains and democratic institutions.

The parliamentary security service must therefore be commended for its swift action in maintain order by ejecting hooligans disguised as honourable Members of Parliament.

Section 11 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act states clearly that:

"A person who creates or takes part in any disturbance in the precincts while Parliament or a House or a Committee is meeting, may be arrested and removed from the precincts, on the order of the Speaker or the Chairperson or a person designated by the Speaker or Chairperson, by a staff member or a member of the security services".

We therefore have no doubt that both the Speaker and the Chairperson acted appropriately and within the rules and the law governing the business of Parliament. We are confident that parliament will take swift and appropriate action against the EFF MPs responsible for the planned disruptions.

We commend the progress currently being made in terms of the review of rules of the National Assembly. We are confident that the outcome of this process will go a long way in ensuring order, preserving the decorum of the House and restoring the dignity of Parliament.

What the nation witnessed last night was the most provocative and lowest form of politicking, whose sole purpose is to render democratic institutions and a democratically elected government, unworkable. We will never allow for such an underhanded agenda to derail or frustrate our prundeterred in our endeavour to advance our programme of improving the material conditions of our people.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, February 16 2015

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