Accusations of racism and the use of racial epithets led to the ejection of Economic Freedom Fighters’ MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the National Assembly today (Tuesday)‚ after repeatedly saying that his party will not be “monitored by white boys”‚ in reference to a Democratic Alliance MP.
While Ndlozi did not mention the member by name‚ he made a number reference to the “white boy”‚ forcing house chairperson Thoko Didiza to order the Sergeant at Arms to remove him from the chamber after refusing to withdraw his statement.
The racial incident took place during on a series of parliamentary budget review debates.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said reference to any member as “white boy or black boy” is racist and pleaded with Didiza to Ndlozi to withdraw his statement.
“In terms of rules and conventions of this house‚ that statement and that phrasing cannot be acceptable. It is unparliamentary. Can I ask you to withdraw?‚” said Didiza.
An unapologetic Ndlozi said the rules state that he must not refer to someone personally in the house as a white boy‚ but can make general statements.
“If I repeated my statement‚ I don’t know which honourable member. I did not say the name of that honourable member. But I maintain‚ the EFF caucus cannot be monitored by white boys. We won’t be monitored by white boys here in parliament or elsewhere. There’s nothing unparliamentary in terms of my rights with freedom of speech. I can’t be made to withdraw that‚ it is not consistent with the rule you are saying‚” said Ndlozi.
Responding to Ndlozi‚ Didiza said the issue was about the “phrasing you use which is not acceptable”.
“May I ask you to withdraw. This is not about the caucus of each party‚” said Didiza‚ before calling for Ndlozi’s removal.
It’s not the first time the EFF has made racial references to a member of the DA. Last week an EFF MP told the DA’s Zakhele Mbhele to “speak like a black man“.
Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Parliamentary Bureau
EFF MP causes race row in Parliament
While Ndlozi did not mention the member by name‚ he made a number reference to the “white boy”‚ forcing house chairperson Thoko Didiza to order the Sergeant at Arms to remove him from the chamber after refusing to withdraw his statement.
The racial incident took place during on a series of parliamentary budget review debates.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said reference to any member as “white boy or black boy” is racist and pleaded with Didiza to Ndlozi to withdraw his statement.
“In terms of rules and conventions of this house‚ that statement and that phrasing cannot be acceptable. It is unparliamentary. Can I ask you to withdraw?‚” said Didiza.
An unapologetic Ndlozi said the rules state that he must not refer to someone personally in the house as a white boy‚ but can make general statements.
“If I repeated my statement‚ I don’t know which honourable member. I did not say the name of that honourable member. But I maintain‚ the EFF caucus cannot be monitored by white boys. We won’t be monitored by white boys here in parliament or elsewhere. There’s nothing unparliamentary in terms of my rights with freedom of speech. I can’t be made to withdraw that‚ it is not consistent with the rule you are saying‚” said Ndlozi.
Responding to Ndlozi‚ Didiza said the issue was about the “phrasing you use which is not acceptable”.
“May I ask you to withdraw. This is not about the caucus of each party‚” said Didiza‚ before calling for Ndlozi’s removal.
It’s not the first time the EFF has made racial references to a member of the DA. Last week an EFF MP told the DA’s Zakhele Mbhele to “speak like a black man“.
Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Parliamentary Bureau
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos