New parliamentary rules 'going a bit far'
Political analyst and former MP Pieter Mulder has put the blame for the strict new rules in Parliament squarely on the shoulders of the EFF.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed a new set of rules will be implemented, which are designed to regulate proceedings during joint sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
One of the rules bars anyone from interrupting the president during State of the Nation Address or the opening of parliament.
This rule will first be implemented during the 2024 SONA, set to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town on Thursday.
Mulder says the constant interruptions by the EFF since 2015, including last year when they stormed the stage, do not warrant draconian rules preventing other members of parliament from interacting with the head of state.
He says there needs to be a balance between a healthy debate, and ensuring an orderly sitting of parliament.
"I really think the problem here is the EFF because they, in the end, stopped the functioning of parliament for one hour. She (Mapisa-Nqakula) must not stop the interjections. That is part of it, it makes it interesting enough.
"And in that sense, it can be said that she is overreacting.
"In a normal parliament, I would really complain and say that is totally wrong, but what I saw in the past, the EFF misused their right to the freedom of speech to stop the whole function. I think that is why she is doing this.
"Freedom of speech is important for the functioning of parliament.”
Mulder says anyone who disrupts parliamentary sittings should face repercussions.
"If you don't listen to the Speaker you must be punished. Punishment is what they have done now, by barring them (EFF) from attending the SONA and deducting their salaries, but you do not stop the whole functioning.
"If you overstep, surely something must be done to you, but to stop all interjections is overacting.”
Meanwhile, the EFF has lost its bid to interdict Parliament from applying the newly adopted House rules that will prevent the chaos that has characterised its conduct at the State of the Nation Address.
The Western Cape High Court is due to deliver a ruling on the suspension of EFF leader Julius Malema and other MPs on Thursday.
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