Former public protector Thuli Madonsela was left gob-smacked by the antics that unfolded at Parliament’s 2022 budget vote, on Thursday.
EFF hecklers ramp up chaos in Parliament
EFF leader Julius Malema held true to the warning he issued on Tuesday’s media briefing and brought chaos to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first appearance in Parliament since the Phala Phala saga.
The budget vote was expected to kick off at 14:00, but an hour later, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula was held hostage by delay tactics masterminded by Malema and his Red Berets.
In a moment of embarrassment, the watching world bore first-hand witness to the uncouth conduct of South Africa’s public representatives. Strong language was used to condemn Ramaphosa’s status as head of state, and Malema, in a moment that sent shockwaves across the National Assembly, lambasted the president as a money launderer and criminal.
The vile conduct, Madonsela reacted in a series of tweets, was enough to convince her “that a lot of public representatives have no clue what a point of order is.”
Madonsela added that perhaps kicking Parliamentary members out of sittings is not an effective measure to ensure decorum is upheld.
“The rules should be enforced with fines not just kicking people out. In ordinary clubs people are fined when they speak out of turn. Why is Parliament not doing the same. Being hit in the pocket could make people give Parliament the decorum it deserves,” she wrote.
The rules should be enforced with fines not just kicking people out. In ordinary clubs people are fined when they speak out of turn. Why is Parliament not doing the same. Being hit in the pocket could make people give Parliament the decorum it deserves #PresidencyBudgdet
— Prof Thuli Madonsela #SocialJustice (@ThuliMadonsela3) June 9, 2022
The president, delayed by more than an hour, was still delivering his 2022 budget vote speech at the time this article was published.
Here are some of the video clips showing the chaos that erupted in Parliament, on Thursday.
No ways😂😂😭😭not cosmetics😭😭Mrs Daisy😭😭
— Unfiltered (@Unfilteredfax) June 9, 2022
You can’t argue with EFF members😭#Foreigners #BudgetVote2022 #SenzoMeyiwaTrail #OperationDudula #PhalaPhalaFarm pic.twitter.com/EexlnPJ2e2
"President leave on my behalf" 🤣 🤣 🤣 She said everything that was needed to be said. #BudgetVote2022 #PhalaPhalaFarm pic.twitter.com/mycZOgC7Gi
— CaramelPapi (@JusCallMeWill) June 9, 2022
[Must Watch 🎥] The @ParliamentofRSA has muted hundreds of Members of Parliament on the virtual platform in defence of a money launderer, kidnapper and murderer
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 9, 2022
Salute Honorable @madlomo37 for speaking truth to power! Ramaphosa is a criminal!#EFFInParliament pic.twitter.com/iJXdLS5zJE
[Don’t Miss It 🎥] Treasurer General @OmphileMaotwe warned in Parliament that the Financial Sector in SA is colluding in money laundering
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 9, 2022
That is why Ramaphosa is able to hide millions of dollars in mattresses and couches
Today he will account!#EFFInParliament pic.twitter.com/L8hxENwnlX