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It has become a norm rather than an exception, for the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleke Mbethe, to request the members of the Economic Freedom Fighters to as she put it ‘leave the house’.
This after a debate was being held in the National Assembly on Wednesday 17th September 2014, in which the Deputy President was being accused of having blood on his hands, pertaining to the Marikana massacre in which more than 40 people paid with their lives, more than 2 years ago, being of no consequence in favour of bottom-line profits by shareholders in the mines, of which the Deputy President was but one.
Questions posed to the Honourable Deputy President by the Economic Freedom Fighters was side-stepped and rightfully so, on not getting answers, or for that matter relevant and adequate answers to the questions, an altercation in words erupted, which eventually got so bad, that the Speaker, who incidentally is the Secretary General of the ‘Ruling Party’ and opted more in favour of the ANC and shielding members from cross-examination, yet once again ordered the Economic Freedom Fighter Members of Parliament to leave the house – wearing her ANC political cap, than rather to be an unbiased National Assembly Speaker.
We have for too long, had to be satisfied with answers, which have been ‘flavoured’ and covered in kaleidoscopic colours, which at the end of the day, never answered the question, but the opposition being too weak to enforce satisfactory and relevant questions and answers in the matter.
The presence of the Economic Freedom Fighters in Parliament, whether you may agree with their election manifesto or not, is now more than ever relevant, and long overdue.
We need a party, and for that matter an opposition party that has no fear of, or owing any favour to anyone, that could challenge matters being debated in the National Assembly and demand answers.
Being stern, active, decisive and not scared is what should be the role and function of the opposition parties, whom to date have lacked in this style.
Now we have an opposition party, and maybe because of its lack of support of the President, has become a force to be reckoned with, present and acting in good faith.
