Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s speech in the SONA debate will be referred to Parliament’s rules committee to consider‚ speaker Baleka Mbete has said.
On Tuesday‚ Mbete ruled that the speech be expunged saying that it’s content should have been brought as a substantive motion.
The move to expunge it from the Hansard was questioned by Cope’s Deidre Carter who wanted to know which rule Mbete was referencing when she made the order.
Before proceedings in the second day of debates started on Wednesday‚ Mbete said that while the Constitution guaranteed members of parliament freedom of speech‚ these rights should not infringe on other people’s rights.
“The presiding officers are the guardians of the rights and privileges of members‚” Mbete said.
She referenced a ruling in the fourth parliament that said that said that members should avoid the use of “offensive and unbecoming language“.
She said Malema’s speech had cast aspersions on characters‚ and had referenced “private and personal” matters relating to the president.
Mbete said it was up to the presiding officers to ensure that “no scandalous or improper matter” appeared on printed paper.
But she said‚ the matter required “serious consideration” and as such‚ she would refer it to the rules committee to engage with.
She said the EFF‚ who are not present in the house‚ had written to her today asking that she withdraw her statement that Malema’s remarks be expunged.
She said her ruling covered this request also.
Malema's speech refered parliamentary rules committee
On Tuesday‚ Mbete ruled that the speech be expunged saying that it’s content should have been brought as a substantive motion.
The move to expunge it from the Hansard was questioned by Cope’s Deidre Carter who wanted to know which rule Mbete was referencing when she made the order.
Before proceedings in the second day of debates started on Wednesday‚ Mbete said that while the Constitution guaranteed members of parliament freedom of speech‚ these rights should not infringe on other people’s rights.
“The presiding officers are the guardians of the rights and privileges of members‚” Mbete said.
She referenced a ruling in the fourth parliament that said that said that members should avoid the use of “offensive and unbecoming language“.
She said Malema’s speech had cast aspersions on characters‚ and had referenced “private and personal” matters relating to the president.
Mbete said it was up to the presiding officers to ensure that “no scandalous or improper matter” appeared on printed paper.
But she said‚ the matter required “serious consideration” and as such‚ she would refer it to the rules committee to engage with.
She said the EFF‚ who are not present in the house‚ had written to her today asking that she withdraw her statement that Malema’s remarks be expunged.
She said her ruling covered this request also.
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