'Frequent, intense' Parliament disruptions a concern – Cabinet

26th May 2016 By: News24Wire

'Frequent, intense' Parliament disruptions a concern – Cabinet

Photo by: Reuters

The disruptions in Parliament, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, are concerning, Cabinet has said.

Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said on Thursday that cabinet had raised concerns about the disruptions.

This followed yet another question-and-answer session in Parliament, where Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs were last week forcibly removed after they refused to let President Jacob Zuma speak.

Fists, hard hats and water bottles flew as the party clashed with the parliamentary protection services.

This was the second time in one month that the EFF MPs were removed in what resulted in a violent altercation in the National Assembly.

"Parliament is an institution of our hard-fought [for] democracy and a public platform which must be respected by all," Radebe said.

He said the leader of government business, deputy president Cyril Rampahosa, was going to address the issue of the disruptions at the rising of Parliament on Thursday.

Thereafter MPs will hit the campaign trails for 10 weeks as part of the constituency period, and will only be back in parliament on August 16.

"There is going to be a major media statement where the leader of government business will be reflecting on what has happened in the last term," Radebe said.