‘Inappropriate adult noise’ in online meeting raises questions about South Africa’s Members of Parliament
An unusual, inappropriate noise made by an MP disrupted an online portfolio meeting.
Pexels: Anna Shvets 4226215
CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Steven Swart, an ACDP Member of Parliament and Member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.
Listen below:
The behaviour of MPs in online meetings has been called into question after a recent disruption.
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development was holding a meeting on 14 May, when an unusual sound ‘of an adult or sexual nature’ was heard.
It is not clear who made the sound, but the incident is reportedly being investigated.
Swart says this incident is deeply concerning and raises important questions about whether MPs are focused and working during online meetings.
“Our rules make it very clear that when you are in online meetings, you have to conduct yourself accordingly. You have to make sure the camera is focused on you, and you have to make sure that you are muted at the very least.”
- Steven Swart, MP - ACDP
“It is very inappropriate and embarrassing!”
- Steven Swart, MP - ACDP
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