DA leader asked to leave chamber

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane was ordered by the Speaker of Parliament on Thursday to leave the house after he refused to sit down during President Jacob Zuma’s question and answer session.

The DA staged a walkout in solidarity with Maimane

Maimane had earlier asked Zuma whether the Gupta family had offered anyone a cabinet post.

“Power no longer sits at the Union Buildings… worse‚ no longer at Luthuli House. It sits at Saxonworld (the Gupta’s mansion). Has the Gupta family offered anyone a Cabinet job in your presidency? Do you take accountability for what’s happened?” Maimane asked.

Zuma responded by saying that no minister had ever been appointed by the Guptas. He said that if deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas had said that the Gupta family had offered him the position of finance minister‚ then he and the Guptas should be asked the question.

“Ask them. Don’t ask me‚” said Zuma‚ querying where he came into this.

“I am in charge. No minister here was ever appointed by the Guptas or anyone else. I appoint the ministers here‚” he added.