Minister must explain jamming device – DA

STATE Security Minister David Mahlobo can’t go “unpunished” and should be summoned before parliament to explain himself on why he allowed a signal jamming device to be used inside the National Assembly, says the DA.

This comes after the Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA) ruling that the jamming of telecommunications signals during last year’s State of the Nation address was both unconstitutional and unlawful.

DA chief whip John welcomed the ruling.

“This is precisely the point of order I raised on the day, when I pointed out that the signal jamming was a direct Steenhuisen violation of the constitution and the Bill of Rights.

“My sentiments were echoed by DA leader Mmusi Maimane,” Steenhuisen said. Maimane had said: “We want South Africans to hear ideas. We want them to hear the State of the Nation address. We simply cannot proceed unless that jamming device is disconnected.”

Steenhuisen said the the SCA judgment was a “significant” victory for those who wanted to see parliament do its job in an open and transparent way.

“On the basis of this unanimous finding that this conduct was unlawful, parliament should summon State Security Minister David Mahlobo to explain himself,” Steenhuisen said.