The mic(key) stops here

MEMBERS of the finance committee are well known for their jocular demeanour — Carrim dispensed with the formality of MPs being referred to as “honourable” and everyone is called by their first name.

But this cordial atmosphere doesn’t mean people aren’t going to snipe and snarl at each other, as this week’s meeting showed.

EFF MP Floyd Shivambu said the Fica bill, which places greater financial scrutiny on the political who’s who to stamp out corruption, was opposed by “criminal syndicates”.

To which Mzwanele Manyi, whose Progressive Professionals Forum’s objections against the bill landed it back in parliament, took exception, declaring he was “very strongly insulted”.

But Shivambu refused to withdraw the remark, saying he had not named anyone. “If the shoe fits,” he taunted. Carrim said he could do nothing because Shivambu had not mentioned names.

Later, when ANC MPs and Shivambu insulted each other’s parties non-stop, Carrim walked over to him and took his microphone away.