Legislature walkout over Zuma’s visit
FORMER president Jacob Zuma’s unannounced arrival at the KwaZulu-Natal legislature yesterday caused chaos when opposition parties staged a walkout demanding to know the reason for his presence in the chambers.
Zuma’s appearance came as a surprise to the House, who raised numerous points of order to gain clarity as to why Zuma was seated in the chamber while he was not a member of the provincial legislature. As Yusuf Bhamjee made a ruling that the opposition had no grounds for their argument as Zuma was an invited guest at the budget vote, they walked out leaving the agriculture budget undebated.
Zuma’s unexpected arrival was no coincidence, according to opposition parties, who believe the tension in the ANC is laid bare in such acts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also made an unexpected visit to Pietermaritzburg on Monday where he allegedly addressed the ANC leadership.
DA MP Francois Rodgers said the former president’s arrival was also proof of the “blind loyalty” by Premier Willies Mchunu and MEC Sihle Zikalala.
“This in spite of the financial havoc Zuma has wreaked in our province,” he said.
The EFF’s Vusi Khoza became disruptive, resulting in the EFF members being asked to leave, while he attempted to raise a point of order to which Bhamjee said the decision had already been made to allow Zuma to be seated in the wings of the chamber.
“This is unacceptable as you are making up rules now. We need an explanation why he (Zuma) is seated here when he is not a member,” said Khoza.
The IFP remained in the chambers. The National Freedom Party’s Vikizitha Mlotshwa said Zuma was not allowed in the chamber and should have been sitting in the public gallery as a guest.
Outside the legislature, ANC chief whip Nontebeko Boyce conceded the opposition parties should have been notified of Zuma’s expected arrival at the budget sitting, saying it was common courtesy but “no rule was broken here”.
“He was invited by the MEC of Agriculture, and is sitting not in the chamber where members are seated, but in the wings where officials and other eminent persons that are invited are seated,” she said.