Opposition joins ANC in fight against EFF disruptions

OPPOSITION parties ganged up on the EFF yesterday over the proposed National Assembly rules relating to disruptions.

The ANC enjoyed the rare experience of the backing of other opposition MPs during a parliamentary rules committee meeting.

While the EFF remained vehemently opposed to the “barbaric” new rules that will see members having their salaries docked when removed from the National Assembly chamber, other parties accepted the amendments. In a veiled but clear reference to the EFF, Freedom Front Plus chief whip Corne Mulder said a member could not use democracy and its procedures “to try and destroy a democracy”.

Mulder said: “The majority of parties have come to the point to say we’ve had enough. It’s not funny anymore. It’s not necessary anymore . . .

“I propose we move on and get this behind us as soon as possible.” The proposed new rules will also put an end to the use of SA Police Service members in the chamber.

Security officials will also not be allowed to enter the chamber armed and can only remove a member when he or she poses a physical threat or danger.

MPs ejected from the house will also have their salaries docked automatically.

DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said: “We can’t have a situation [like] we had last Thursday, where we were prevented from performing our functions because a polit- ical party decided that it was not happy with a particular situation.

“We can’t make rules to suit one political party,” Steenhuisen said.

UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said: “In cases of people disrupting proceedings, the presiding officers are not empowered currently to do anything.

“If you look at the fact that they’re unable to intervene, this means I can literally stand on top of a desk and start singing while somebody is at the podium and nothing will happen to me. And that obviously impedes on the rights of other members to discharge their constitutional mandate.”

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said the party was opposed to the proposed rules, in particular the physical removal of MPs.

“If the speaker believes you are guilty of grave disorder and takes your salary, it’s an arbitrary decision,” he said.

The EFF’s Hlengiwe Maxon complained: “We are treated like stepchildren.”

The committee adopted the rules.