Chaos in House as MPs get hot under the collar

PARLIAMENT descended into chaos yesterday as EFF and DA members almost threw punches at each other.

The scuffles resulted in President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing his regret about what had happened and that he hoped MPs would be able to find one another.

House chairperson Thoko Didiza also said she was unhappy to see such scenes in the House.

She apologised to Ramaphosa about the unfolding of events.

“I think it is important as a presiding officer to apologise to you (as) to what happened to you during the session. In some of your questions, you spoke to what happened. I want to say to members none of us can be proud about what happened,” said Didiza.

She said MPs would need to look at the rules and how to properly implement them.

Didiza said MPs owed it to themselves to respect one another.

During the fracas the EFF had accused the DA of racism.

DA had called the EFF “VBS looters”, and this is what angered Julius Malema, who said he would not allow John Steenhuisen of the DA to speak.

Andries Tloumma of Agang SA almost came to blows with EFF MP Nazier Paulsen, who had to be restrained by other MPs.

The chaos happened during the last session of the House when Ramaphosa was answering the last batch of questions.

Didiza said they would not allow Parliament to be turned into a chaotic environment.

ANC MPs also spoke strongly against the chaos, saying this showed lack of tolerance.

Nhlanhla Khubisa of the National Freedom Party warned fellow MPs to do away with “narrow chauvinism” and other forms of discrimination.

Didiza managed to bring calm to the House before the protection officers could forcefully remove MPs.

This was after she ordered Tloumma and Paulsen out of the House.

The drama broke out only on the section of opposition benches, with ANC MPs watching.