Opposition tests Mbete’s resolve
• MPs reinforce their message that Zuma has violated the constitution
In scenes reminiscent of the 2015 state of the nation address, an expanded security ring around the parliamentary precinct and cheering ANC MPs served as a bulwark for President Jacob Zuma against opposition jeers on Thursday night.
For the first time in recent memory, the ANC arranged a parade minutes away from the Mother City’s Grand Parade for Zuma to attend and address after delivering his speech.
EFF MPs, and COPE and the DA to a lesser extent, ran the show in the National Assembly the minute Zuma stepped into the chamber.
In a tense one-and-a-half hour standoff with the two presiding officers — speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise — EFF MPs ran rings around the two officials, rising on points of order to make the same point: Zuma was not fit to address the House.
One after the other, EFF MPs rose to reinforce one message: Zuma had violated the constitution and did not deserve to address Parliament.
The rejection of the plea by the DA for a minute’s silence in remembrance of the 94 Life Esidimeni psychiatric patients, who died at unlicensed nongovernmental organisations in Gauteng, reinforced the EFF’s message.
So did COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota who said all those who were in Parliament had taken oaths of office.
“But none of us has broken that oath,” said Lekota — Zuma was the exception.
Events inside the chamber mirrored those unfolding in the parade area, where ANC supporters watched proceedings from a large screen and erupted in loud cheers at the sight of EFF MPs being forcibly removed from the National Assembly by Parliament’s white shirts.
A further source of strife was the heavy police and military presence, as well as accusations that officials were willing to take drastic measures to quell opposition dissent.
In a parting shot delivered before Julius Malema and his EFF MPs were kicked out of the National Assembly, he told Mbete: “You are prepared to chase out people who want to protect the constitution.
“Your conduct has failed you to be a candidate for president because you are irrational, impatient and you are partisan.”
After the EFF MPs were ejected from the House, organisers of the Grand Parade gathering had to plead with ANC supporters to remain at the grounds and not head to Parliament to confront the EFF.
ANC officials said the party had mobilised support in Cape Town, but some supporters had made it all the way to the Mother City from far-flung corners of SA, including Mthatha.
ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said that the governing party welcomed the president’s commitments during the speech, which focused on the broad theme of “radical transformation”.