Parliament: New House rules to minimise SONA disruptions, not aimed at any party
Parliament’s presiding officers say the rules are intended to maintain decorum and civility in the House.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party members are removed by presidential task force and Parliament officials as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attempts to deliver his 2023 State of the Nation (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall in Cape Town on February 9, 2023. Picture: ESA ALEXANDER / AFP
CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s presiding officers said its new House rules aimed at minimising disruptions to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) were not designed or adopted with any particular party in mind.
Rather, they say the rules are intended to maintain decorum and civility in the House.
On Tuesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lost a high court bid to overturn the rules it believes will stifle freedom of speech.
EFF leader, Julius Malema, and his deputy, Floyd Shivambu, are both banned from the House on Thursday night, following last year’s disruptions at the annual opening of Parliament.
The joint house rules prohibit an MP from interrupting the president’s speech.
It also bans gross disorderly conduct.
While six EFF MPs are currently serving a suspension from the House over their disruptive actions at last year’s State of the Nation Address, National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson, Amos Masondo, said that the new rules were not aimed at the EFF.
"The rules are rules of Parliament. They are not meant for the EFF, or the IFP or any other political parties."
The National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said the courts have always accepted the right of Parliament to govern its own business.
"We think we are on sound grounds making rules as appropriate in our observation of what happens inside the Parliament for all members of Parliament. This is what gives us confidence."
The new House rules will be put to the test for the first time on Thursday night.