JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) says it would be excessive for soldiers to be called in to quell dissent within Parliament, but says the rules of the house empower the speaker to escalate the level of security if it's required.
On Wednesday, during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate in Parliament, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said the ANC fully supports National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete’s decision to call police into the chamber to forcibly remove Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Members of Parliament (MPs) and said if need be, she should do it again.
Nzimande also warned opposition parties that their behaviour in Parliament provoked ANC MPs and warned them not to push the ruling party too far.
ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa says the rules of Parliament must be fully utilised by the presiding officers.
“Parliament gives options to presiding officers to deal with issues that are referred to in the act as disturbances. To call Parliamentary security or even to escalate that. I think it’s an exaggeration to call soldiers, but there is legislation.”
Post a Comment