Modise sorry for the ruckus

Parliament’s speaker Thandi Modise apologised to South Africans for the conduct of “a few of its members” on a night when the EFF again disrupted the State of the Nation address (Sona).

“The presiding officers... join the rest of the membership of the Houses of parliament in extending an apology to the guests and the people of South Africa for the conduct of a few members of parliament last night,” read a joint statement from the presiding officers, Modise and the chair of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo.

“It is understandable that the people of South Africa would be highly concerned and disappointed by the conduct of certain members of parliament. To restore order and calm, the presiding officers had to briefly suspend the sitting, which helped to calm the high emotions and allowed the House to determine a way forward.

“The president was then able to deliver the State of the Nation Address.”

The statement confirmed what Modise said during the sitting – that the conduct of EFF MPs will be referred to the powers and privileges committee of parliament for consideration and recommendation to the Houses of parliament.

“Going forward, members of parliament will have to seriously consider whether the existing rules sufficiently guard against disorderliness that has the potential to paralyse the business of the House,” the statement read.

In 2014, the committee suspended some EFF members without pay and docked other EFF MPs’ pay after they chanted “Pay back the money!” during a question session with former president Jacob Zuma. That session was suspended and set the National Assembly on a tumultuous course. – News24 Wire