Issued by: Gauteng Legislature
The Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Mr Trevor Fowler, today expressed concern that the Legislature was not consulted about cordoning off its precinct with razor wire, and has said that the institution will take appropriate measures to avoid this in future.
"It was a surprise that the Speaker had not been consulted about cordoning off the building with razor wire. The Speaker wishes to express the concern that the cordon was undertaken without consultation with the authorities in the Legislature, which retains sole legal jurisdiction over its precinct.
"We understand and uphold the concern and responsibility of the South African Police Service in seeking to protect the marchers, Members of the Provincial Legislature, and the public. However, we must emphasise that the Legislature does not wish to convey the impression that there is no co-operation and trust among the parties represented in the province. The right for the public to march and engage in peaceful demonstrations is not only enshrined in the Constitution, but it is a democratic expression that must not be impeded.
It is unfortunate that the cordon made it difficult for members of the public to come to the Legislature. In future appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that members of the public are not unreasonably inconvenienced, or denied saccess into the building", concluded Mr Fowler.
MOEMIISE MOTSEPE (Media Liaison Officer)
(Issued by the Communication Department of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature)
12 March 1997