PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa: More chaos in South African Parliament as MPs refuse to allow Zuma to speak
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Another riot broke out in the South African National Assembly on Tuesday when members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) clashed with security guards who forcibly removed them from the floor.
This occurred when EFF Members of Parliament (MPs) refused to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma because they claimed he had violated the Constitution and his oath of office.
Riot police were deployed to restore order after EFF MPs reacted violently to efforts to remove them. EFF leader Julius Malema vowed outside of the National Assembly that there would be no “business as usual” in parliament until Zuma resigned. “Every time he comes here‚ the same thing will happen‚” he said.
Zuma once again laughed as the proceedings fell into disarray. When he finally had the opportunity to speak, he said he did not understand some of the questions from the MPs, and how they wanted him to answer.
This was after Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach asked Zuma whether he would apologise to the judiciary because he continued to "undermine it".
"I don't understand the question... I've just answered it. I don't know what is it I must apologise for," Zuma responded.
Two weeks ago, Zuma acknowledged that parliament has become an international embarrassment following months of chaos as opposition parties attempted to block proceedings in protest against him.
Zuma, who is under considerable pressure following a series of high-profile scandals, rebuked National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, saying she needed to keep outspoken MPs in check.
“I go around Africa and people ask me very embarrassing questions of this parliament. I think it would be seriously important that you bring this house into some order,” he said during his reply to the budget vote debate.
-0- PANA CU/AR 17May2016
This occurred when EFF Members of Parliament (MPs) refused to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma because they claimed he had violated the Constitution and his oath of office.
Riot police were deployed to restore order after EFF MPs reacted violently to efforts to remove them. EFF leader Julius Malema vowed outside of the National Assembly that there would be no “business as usual” in parliament until Zuma resigned. “Every time he comes here‚ the same thing will happen‚” he said.
Zuma once again laughed as the proceedings fell into disarray. When he finally had the opportunity to speak, he said he did not understand some of the questions from the MPs, and how they wanted him to answer.
This was after Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach asked Zuma whether he would apologise to the judiciary because he continued to "undermine it".
"I don't understand the question... I've just answered it. I don't know what is it I must apologise for," Zuma responded.
Two weeks ago, Zuma acknowledged that parliament has become an international embarrassment following months of chaos as opposition parties attempted to block proceedings in protest against him.
Zuma, who is under considerable pressure following a series of high-profile scandals, rebuked National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, saying she needed to keep outspoken MPs in check.
“I go around Africa and people ask me very embarrassing questions of this parliament. I think it would be seriously important that you bring this house into some order,” he said during his reply to the budget vote debate.
-0- PANA CU/AR 17May2016
