Blame game, apologies ahead of Zuma response

Security agency says cellphone jamming debacle was ‘an operational error’

ALL EYES will be on President Jacob Zuma today when he responds to a tough parliamentary debate in which he was described as “a broken man presiding over a broken society”, and as having brought “hooligans” to Parliament.

In rapid-fire developments seemingly aimed at clearing the air of the controversies which overshadowed last Thursday’s address, the State Security Agency blamed last Thursday’s cellphone jamming on “an operational error by the member on duty”.

And ANC national chairwoman and National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete “unconditionally” apologised and “unreservedly” withdrew comments likening EFF leader Julius Malema to a “cockroach”.

Saying that security measures at last week’s State of the Nation address, including “counter-intelligence measures” were appropriate and in line with international standards, State Security Agency spokesman Brian Dube said the department regretted the incident and members would do their jobs more “diligently” in future.

“The operator failed to properly terminate the (scrambling) device and this impacted on proper access to some users of mobile phones. A departmental investigation is under way with a possibility of disciplinary action for those responsible for this operational failure.

“This operation was never intended to frustrate the parliamentarians, the media and anyone who attended Parliament, and the result of it not being switched off properly is highly regretted.”

The State Security Agency’s statement landed more than 24 hours after Parliament’s presiding officers said the responsible department would brief the media.

And so did Mbete’s apology, on an ANC letterhead. The apology was for comments made at the weekend’s ANC North West conference, which sparked widespread public criticism. These comments were used by opposition parties to highlight previous concerns she should not hold both jobs.

For the past two days, the parliamentary State of the Nation debate was sharply criticised by the opposition not only of Zuma’s administration, but also the jamming of cellphone signals and the pandemonium when security operatives evicted EFF parliamentarians. In contrast, ANC speakers largely stuck to the script of progress, achievements and plans ahead.

Yesterday, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown continued on a dialled down approach to load shedding, saying electricity constraints were “a challenge” which was being addressed.

“The electricity supply challenge we face, when reduced to its simplest formulation, is that the demand for electricity is higher than the available supply sometimes on some days.” She said this could be resolved by consumers using less.

Brown applauded “our biggest business consumers and their workers for the magnificent way in which they have responded to Eskom’s and the government’s appeals to reduce demand, sometimes at short notice at critical times”.

Outlining plans by the government, working with Eskom, Transnet and PetroSA, to increase electricity supply from gas-fired power stations and from hydro-electricity, Brown’s address was backed up by news that Medupi’s Unit Six had achieved the synchronisation.

Delayed for six weeks, this is the first step towards bringing it online. “It is running at the optimum speed of 3 000 revolutions per minute. Well done, Eskom,” said Brown.

Earlier, Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Pieter Mulder launched an impassioned plea against “scapegoat politics” by the government on issues ranging from farm killings to the electricity supply.

“Load shedding upsets everybody. The honourable president doesn’t blame Eskom’s lack of planning. He blames apartheid and the previous white government,” he said. “Honourable President, stop scapegoat politics. You are setting a bad example… You are playing with fire in a country that needs little to set it alight.”

It was largely left to ANC backbenchers to deflect the DA’s “broken man” description of Zuma. “Mmusi Maimane is a broken black man because he is swimming in the broken blue sea of white conservatism,” said ANC MP Bongani Mkongi. Others took the odd dig at the EFF, referring to EFF “anarchy”.

However, as the debate continued, tempers flared amid often robust heckles and, at times, shouting across the floor. Presiding officer National Council of Provinces deputy chairman Raseriti Tau appeared to struggle to maintain order at times.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha’s address was stalled over rapid-fire opposition points of order after he said the law allowed even the defence force into Parliament to restore order. The EFF and DA both took exception, pointing out the matter was now before the courts.