Share

Police obstruct Steenhuisen, other MPs from entering Parliament before Budget speech

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise will investigate why police obstructed some opposition MPs, including the leader of the opposition John Steenhuisen, from entering the Parliamentary precinct ahead of Wednesday's budget speech.

A visibly agitated DA interim leader Steenhuisen arrived at his bench when Finance Minister Tito Mboweni was a few minutes into his speech. He had a quick word with DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone.

After Mboweni concluded his speech, Mazzone rose on a point of privilege.

READ | Budget 2020 in a nutshell | No major tax changes and ambitious proposal to cut state wage bill

She said Steenhuisen and some other DA MPs were prevented from entering the precinct in contravention of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliaments and Provincial Legislatures Act.

Section 7(c) of this act states a person may not "threaten or obstruct a member proceeding to or going from a meeting of Parliament or a House or committee".

"Sit down! Sit down!" ANC MPs yelled why she spoke, but Modise allowed her to continue.

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi also stood up and said it also happened to some of their members.

"There is terrible oversecuritisation," Ndlozi said. He said it amounted to intimidation of members.

Modise said: "I will investigate the matter and I will report back."

The DA MPs applauded.

As MPs flooded out of the chamber, Steenhuisen talked to Ndlozi and an animated EFF leader Julius Malema.

"It's targeted," Ndlozi could be heard saying.

Outside Poorthuis, one of the exits of the Parliamentary buildings, Steenhuisen confronted high-ranking officers – believed to be two brigadiers and a general - who prevented his entrance. While News24 was filming this on a cellphone, one of the officers walked over and tried to prevent the filming.

Standing order 156 of the police states that "a media representative may not be prohibited from taking photographs or making visual recordings".

"It's just ridiculous that a Member of Parliament can't go to their place of work," Steenhuisen later told News24.

"I've never ever experienced this in Parliament, except in the Zuma era."

He said it seemed that the police were trying to take control of the People's Parliament.

He said he would lay a charge if there was no apology.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 547 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 787 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.90
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.85
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE