Security cluster ministers condemn EFF actions

Cape Town - The Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) group of Cabinet ministers have condemned the actions of the Economic Freedom Fighters in Parliament last Thursday.

JCPS chairperson Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the cluster recognised the independence of Parliament but could not stand by as “democracy is undermined”.

Mapisa-Nqakula said a person may not improperly interfere with or impede the exercise or performance of Parliament.

The minister said she would like to remind the country that democracy comes with certain rights and responsibilities, and that citizens must exercise their rights within the confines of the law.

On Thursday last week EFF MPs disrupted proceedings in the National Assembly while President Jacob Zuma was answering questions.

Speaker Baleka Mbete instructed EFF leader Julius Malema and his fellow MPs to leave the house, Sapa reports.

Malema was not happy with how Zuma answered questions on when he was going to pay back part of the money spent on R246m security upgrades to his private Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal.