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The display by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Nomaindia Mfeketo, and ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga made a mockery of Parliament today.

I will request an urgent meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu to discuss this disgraceful behaviour. Failing any decisive action by his office, the DA will consider tabling a resolution to remove the Deputy Speaker in terms of Section 52 (4) of the Constitution.

In what seemed like a pre-coordinated move by the Deputy Speaker and the ANC Chief Whip, the ANC sought to attack opposition MPs freedom of speech.

• Despite the matter being sub judice, the Deputy Speaker incorrectly ruled that COPE Leader Mosiua Lekota was out of order for stating that President Zuma had failed to hand over the ‘spy tapes’ in terms of a ruling of the Constitutional Court.
• The Deputy Speaker allowed for ANC Chief Whip to show blatant disregard for the rules and established precedent associated with notice of motions, by giving him permission to deliver a statement attacking Mr Lekota. The resolution, if it was such, was not evidently brought before the house.

This behaviour follows the Deputy Speaker’s rejection of both a debate of public importance on Nkandlagate, and her decision not to allow for a Joint Sitting to allow President Zuma to present his programme of action to reverse the economic downturn.

It is clear that the Deputy Speaker does not respect the precedent which requires that her office is independent. While the ANC may be prepared to have Mr Motshekga represent them in Parliament, the National Assembly cannot allow for this mockery to continue by a Deputy Speaker who has lost the plot.