From the news desk

DA leaves the house during SONA

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DA Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane demanded to know if the police were used to remove EFF MPs from the National Assembly on Thursday.

“To remove the members of the EFF… if by police… I request we cannot allow police to enter this chamber,” he said.

“We want to be here to get the state-of-the-nation address but we cannot violate the Constitution of this country.”

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and some of his MPs were escorted out the House by security after they had interrupted President Jacob Zuma’s speech.

National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise explained the presiding officers had a right to call in security.

“We have indeed repeatedly called on members during a joint sitting to heed the call to take a seat,” she said.

She said all avenues were exhausted before security was called.

“We are also empowered… to ask for security whichever security to act… I think we should allow this house to do its business,” Modise said.

DA walks out

The DA left the National Assembly at the opening of parliament on Thursday after presiding officers failed to explain whether police were used to remove EFF MPs.

DA Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane threatened to leave if the question of whether police were used to remove EFF MPs was not answered.

National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise said he was welcome to leave but he was not being told to.

“We did not tell you to leave this chamber, if you want to take that decision take it on your own.”

She explained that the parliamentary protection services were called and the security forces working with them.

“Yes it isn’t conventional, but it’s not conventional for the joint house to be turned into a question session,” Modise said.

“Can we proceed please?”

She said she could not pick out who were police officers and who were not in the group who removed the MPs.

All DA members stood up and left the House. SAPA


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