‘Orderly’ speech to go ahead

Unless something extraordinary happens, President Jacob Zuma will deliver the State of the Nation address (Sona) next week, and security officers will be reined in to ensure there is no repeat of the chaos that has characterised the occasion over the past three years, Parliament’s presiding officers said on Thursday.

National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete confirmed that there would not be any special sitting to debate a motion of no confidence against Zuma, as requested by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and that the ANC had not asked for a postponement of the address.

This follows a similar request by the Democratic Alliance amid increased speculation that Zuma would not deliver the 2018 Sona as he would be recalled by his party.

Last year’s address descended into chaos when EFF MPs were forcefully removed from the National Assembly by police and parliamentary protection services. Four armed defence force members were also present.

National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Thandi Modise said they will ensure this doesn’t happen again. She said security cluster ministers have been told not to make secret plans.

“We can’t say we will not have surprises, but we have raised it very sharply that we don’t want security ministers and whoever is above them to make any decisions without us knowing,”

Modise said.

“We will not allow anything that has happened in the last three years to happen again. If it does happen, let it be brought to our attention and we will deal with it,” Modise added.

Mbete stressed that maintaining order in the National Assembly and surrounding precinct would be left up to the parliamentary protection services. But, she added, police could intervene if the address descended into chaos.

“Should a situation develop where there is enough of a threat of violence or actual violence in the House, the security forces have a responsibility legally to intervene,” she said.

The presiding officers admitted that they are anxious about disruptions to the speech and their ability to maintain order. Deputy NCOP chairperson Lechesa Tsenoli believes, however, that they should not hesitate to take strong action against people who attempt to derail the proceedings.

“We take exception, quite frankly, to threats of disruption. They should be rejected with the contempt they deserve … Any use of illegal ways of expressing your views must be dealt with appropriately,” Tsenoli said.