Mbete: “Why must we come here and teach you English?” Now imagine if a DA MP had said this. #parliament
— Andisiwe Makinana (@andiMakinana) November 13, 2014
MPS chanted “go go go” during a tumultuous session in the National Assembly on Thursday.
DA and EFF MPs refused to obey instructions from Speaker Baleka Mbete.
Deputy chief whip of the Democratic Alliance Mike Waters was ordered to leave the House for ignoring Mbete’s repeated instructions to take his seat.
Waters refused to leave the chamber, as numerous MPs rose at the same time to raise points of order after Mbete made a ruling regarding the day’s order paper.
At the same time, MPs in the opposition benches banged on their tables and started chanting “You must go” to Mbete”.
Economic Freedom Fighters MPs joined in the chanting.
Eventually Mbete said: “I actually don’t want to recognise anyone.”
“Speaker you are abusing your position, Speaker,” said DA chief whip John Steenhuisen, as Mbete tried to calm the House.
EFF MP Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, among many others, complained that she was not being recognised when she tried to address Mbete.
Mbete said “I am on the floor, and I am talking,” as she tried to continue a discussion about how late they would work into the night.
DA parliamentary leader tried to interject with “We refuse, we refuse…” but he was interrupted as other MPS shouted.
“You are taking your seat,” screamed Mbete over the din.
We want to be here to serve this country, we will remain until one o’clock in the morning.
“Honourable members I am just amazed by your, your excitement, I don’t understand,” Mbete said, but MPs continued shouting for her attention.
One MP started reading a notice of motion while another MP wailed and sang over him and shouts of “Hey Wena” came from the benches.
OPPOSITION HECKLE MBETE
Opposition parties jumped out of their seats and shouted “she must go” at Speaker Baleka Mbete in Parliament on Thursday after she tried to restrict the time scheduled for motions in the chamber.
“Reverse the decision,” Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane snapped at Mbete as MPs in the opposition benches clapped and chorused “Go!”
“We request that the debate continue as per schedule,” Maimane added. Mbete told him to take his seat but he retorted “I refuse”.
The pandemonium began shortly after 2pm and was growing louder some 40 minutes later in what was scheduled to be one of the longest sittings of the chamber of the year.
The first formal item on the agenda was a debate on the report adopted this week by the ad hoc committee on Nkandla, and it was expected that the opposition would use the opportunity to bring a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.
The DA and Economic Freedom Fighters led the charge against Mbete, with several members rising at once and clamouring to be recognised.
“I would ask with respect that you surrender your chair to the honourable [house chairman Cedric] Frolick You have lost control of the house for the second time, you have pushed us to the brink of a constitutional crisis,” DA chief whip John Steenhuisen charged.
“You are abusing your powers. I only hope that you are doing this because [ANC secretary general] Gwede [Mantashe] told you to.”
Steenhuisen argued that since opposition parties had given warning of motions during a meeting of the programming committee earlier on Thursday, Mbete could not limit them for “unforeseen events” because they did not qualify as such.
Mbete sought to remain calm amid the heckling and said: “I’m amazed by your excitement, I just don’t understand it.”
Source : Sapa /ef/jk
