Speaker orders removal of brigadier who obstructed journalist and MPs
6 March 2020
National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has given instructions for a senior police official to be booted from the parliamentary precinct after she prevented MPs from entering the National Assembly ahead of last week's budget speech and obstructed a journalist from doing his job.
In a letter to the parliamentary Press Gallery Association, dated Thursday, 5 March, Modise said she brought the complaints from opposition MPs and News24 parliamentary reporter Jan Gerber to the attention of Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner, General Khehla Sitole.
"I also gave a specific directive for the member of the SAPS, who reportedly harassed several members, and may have also been involved in the incident involving Mr Gerber, to not perform duties within Parliament's precincts forthwith," Modise said.
"There was an undertaking to treat members of Parliament and the public with respect and to co-operate with Parliament's security personnel."