DA takes steps on signal jamming, public order police

16 February 2015

Last week we witnessed the breakdown of our democracy in the Chambers of the National Assembly as the Speaker, Baleka Mbete, and NCOP Chairperson, Thandi Modise, presided over serious violations of our Constitution, and the separation of powers principle.

It is important that steps be taken this week to ensure accountability for the Executive's infringements on Parliament's work, both in relation to the illegal jamming of signal inside the chambers, and the summoning of armed Public Order Police to remove Members from the house.

I have this morning tabled a request for an urgent debate on a matter of public importance (as per rule 103 of the National Assembly) regarding the use of signal jamming devices during the President's State of the Nation Address on 12 February.

This jamming of signal was a grave infringement on the independence of the institution and the freedom of expression of Members and media within the house. 

It is important that Members of Parliament have the opportunity to discuss in detail the circumstances surrounding this matter, including the involvement of the Executive and Parliament's Presiding Officers in this illegal act. 

We will also today submit written parliamentary questions to the Minister of State Security enquiring as to who requested and authorised the use of this device.

Regarding the summoning of armed Public Order Police into this house, we can confirm that our notice of motion has been submitted to refer the Speaker and NCOP Chair to the Powers and Privileges Committee for investigation and sanction. 

Parliament's programming committee will on Thursday discuss the timing of when this motion will be tabled in the house.

The use of security forces reporting to the Executive, the excessive force applied to remove Members of Parliament, and the ejection of an entire party's caucus as opposed to individual Members identified by the Speaker, all point to a clear disregard for Parliament's rules, and the principle of separation of powers.

Included in this motion for an investigation, is a request for the Committee to assess the inflammatory comments made by the Speaker on 14 February at the ANC North West provincial conference during which she endorsed the summoning of Public Order Police into the chambers as a "beautiful opportunity" to "deal with those irritants", and the reference to Members of this house as "cockroaches."

It is clear from these remarks that the objectivity of the Speaker is greatly compromised and that she cannot be trusted to apply the rules of Parliament without bias. She has in fact shown no remorse at all for the constitutional violation that took place.

In addition to these steps, we are also seeking urgent reassurance from the Speaker that the events of last Thursday will not repeat themselves this week. To date we have not received a response from the Speaker for an urgent meeting or for a scheduling of Parliament's Oversight Authority (POA).

We are taking these steps because it is important for the integrity of Parliament to be restored, and for those responsible for the events of last week to be held accountable. 

We reiterate our desire for the business of Parliament to urgently return to debate on the real state of our nation, without fear of executive encroachment on the work of this institution.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, February 16 2015

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