Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader Julius Malema’s fiery State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate reply in which he apologised to former president Thabo Mbeki for his role in removing him‚ will not reflect in the written record of proceedings‚ the parliamentary Speaker says.
Malema started his speech by stating he would not take part in a debate with an “illegitimate” president before covering Zuma’s failures as President and his own “previous life” in the African National Congress.
He apologised to Mbeki‚ saying he had personally led the charge against him after a meeting with Zuma in which Zuma had indicated he did not want to work with him.
He also apologised to former President Nelson Mandela saying South Africa had become a “junk country“.
He left the podium and the house declaring he would not participate further and looking at Zuma said “bye bye“.
Speaker Baleka Mbete however ruled that Malema had knowingly broken the rules and should have brought a substantive motion and said his speech would be expunged from Hansard.
Challenged by members of COPE about what rule she had used‚ she only said she would rule later.
Constitutional law commentator Pierre de Vos also queried it‚ saying via Twitter: “There is no Parliamentary rule that allows Speaker to expunge entire speech. Unlawful”.
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane meanwhile focused on “Planet Zuma“‚ a fictional planet to which Zuma retreated during the State of the Nation Address address while police rolled out barbed wire in the streets and set off stun grenades.
Maimane said on this planet “all the continents fit into Africa” and a swimming pool could be a fire pool.
Looking at Zuma‚ he asked him “Mr President‚ everyone has a conscience. How do you live with yours?“
Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies argued that there was a lot to be proud of in South Africa — even in an economy that had been hard hit by global woes such as decreasing commodities prices.
Deputy mining minister Godfrey Olifant said that Malema was a “coward” for not staying to debate and said he had sold out Mandela in London.
Parliamentary Speaker wants to mute Malema on the records - but can she‚ in law?
Malema started his speech by stating he would not take part in a debate with an “illegitimate” president before covering Zuma’s failures as President and his own “previous life” in the African National Congress.
He apologised to Mbeki‚ saying he had personally led the charge against him after a meeting with Zuma in which Zuma had indicated he did not want to work with him.
He also apologised to former President Nelson Mandela saying South Africa had become a “junk country“.
He left the podium and the house declaring he would not participate further and looking at Zuma said “bye bye“.
Speaker Baleka Mbete however ruled that Malema had knowingly broken the rules and should have brought a substantive motion and said his speech would be expunged from Hansard.
Challenged by members of COPE about what rule she had used‚ she only said she would rule later.
Constitutional law commentator Pierre de Vos also queried it‚ saying via Twitter: “There is no Parliamentary rule that allows Speaker to expunge entire speech. Unlawful”.
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane meanwhile focused on “Planet Zuma“‚ a fictional planet to which Zuma retreated during the State of the Nation Address address while police rolled out barbed wire in the streets and set off stun grenades.
Maimane said on this planet “all the continents fit into Africa” and a swimming pool could be a fire pool.
Looking at Zuma‚ he asked him “Mr President‚ everyone has a conscience. How do you live with yours?“
Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies argued that there was a lot to be proud of in South Africa — even in an economy that had been hard hit by global woes such as decreasing commodities prices.
Deputy mining minister Godfrey Olifant said that Malema was a “coward” for not staying to debate and said he had sold out Mandela in London.
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