EFF MPs in trouble over Gordhan fracas
Bid to intimidate minister during budget speech ‘violated parliamentary privileges’
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The Powers and Privileges Committee could ‘touch pockets of members’ by docking one month’s salary
A GROUP of 22 EFF MPs are in hot water for their failed attempt to stop Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan from delivering his budget vote speech in July.
Yesterday, the sub-committee on physical removal of members from the chamber presented its report to the rules committee. National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise had earlier ordered it to probe the matter.
Although it recommended changes to some of the rules, the sub-committee wants Modise to refer the conduct of the Red Berets to the Powers and Privileges Committee for action.
Briefing the rules committee, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said they had considered the matter and had watched a video clip, captured by Hansard. “The recommendation was that we are satisfied that the presiding officer acted properly and appropriately in the circumstances,” he said.
“The movement of EFF members on to the floor of the chamber to prevent the minister from delivering his speech and/or to intimidate him constituted a breach of the Powers, Privileges and immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.
“The Speaker should refer this matter to the Powers and Privileges Committee as this amounts to a violation of parliamentary privileges,” Tsenoli said.
Some of the sub-committee’s recommendations included rules to ensure “touch (of) the pockets of member” (financial penalty) and make it an offence to deliberately step on to the floor of the House to prevent a member from performing his or her duties.
ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina welcomed the report and the recommendation to haul the EFF MPs to the Powers and Privileges Committee. “What happened that day was an embarrassment to us as Parliament.” The ANC’s Qubudile Dyantyi said he found the recommendation, apart from the one referring the MPS to the Powers and Privileges Committee, to be “too soft” for what happened. “Something more should have come... The recommendations are not going as far (as) I thought they should.”
Reacting to the issues raised, DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said the Powers and Privileges Committee was empowered through a process to “touch pockets of members” by docking one month’s salary.
Steenhuisen, however, said the sub-committee could not impose sanctions and that it could only make recommendations as its report goes to the Powers and Privileges Committee.
“The Powers and Privileges Committee must examine footage, take evidence and make a decision on all or some if they are guilty of contempt of Parliament,” he said.
The committee could impose sanctions, including a reprimand or docking of salaries. “It is not possible legally for this committee to impose types of sanctions,” Steenhuisen added. Modise agreed with Steenhuisen that the rules committee or its sub-committee could not pronounce on guilt.
The EFF’s Natasha Ntlangwini said: “We are rejecting these recommendations with the contempt they deserve.”
She questioned if the members were all charged with “the same sort of fault. It is problematic”.