MPs suggest private security for NA - report

Johannesburg - Some MPs have suggested that Parliament hire a private security company to remove unruly members from the National Assembly, City Press reported on Sunday.

Parliament's rules committee was expected to finalise the proposed parliamentary security service.

Rules sub-committee chairperson Richard Mdakane reportedly said all parties agreed with the African National Congress's proposal that MPs be removed by protection services, but "not by the police or any army”.

They propose a body created by Parliament - either its serjeant-at-arms, bouncers, a private company, or another body.

Because Parliament was a national key point police would remain deployed in the precinct, but would not become involved in removing errant MPs.

In November last year, riot police were called into the National Assembly after Economic Freedom Fighters MP Ngwanamakwetle Mashabela had called President Jacob Zuma a "thief" and refused to leave the House when ordered to.

The proposals included:

- Reducing the time for tabling motions to 20 minutes;

- Only allowing party whips to raise points of order;

- MPs having to quote the specific rule or cite the principle they are raising a point of order on; and

- Giving the Speaker the right to switch off an MP's microphone if the latter was not recognised.

Opposition parties have reluctantly agreed to this but only if the Speaker first informed the House she would switch off the mike.