Parliament labels the disruptions at SONA as disturbing

Lusanda Bill & Loyiso Langeni
17 February 2015

Parliaments presiding officers today held a media briefing dealing with issues that happened during the State of the Nation address. Issues under discussion were the behaviour of the Economic Freedom Fighters and the jamming of the signal during the SONA.

Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete labelled the disruptions in Parliament last Thursday as disturbing.

Mbete says the media was never the target in terms of preparations for the SONA and the jamming of the signal.  She added that she was aware of a certain device that would be installed in the house as a security message but did not know of the full details of the device. 

“Parliament does not own any equipment to scramble the signal, so therefore an investigation into the matter is inconclusive” Mbete added.

Meanwhile over the weekend Mbete called EFF Leader Julius Malema as a cockroach and Deputy Speaker of the National Council of Provinces Raseriti Johannes Tau said they will comment on this matter as the speaker was speaking at the congress as a member of the African National Congress, therefore the ANC will comment in due course. 

In a statement the president officers stated that “our democracy was tested but our institution stood its ground.  Our democracy triumphed, the disruptions failed”.

As a way forward parliament will be meeting with political parties to discuss issues of their concerns.  A dialogue with members of parliament will be held on the electoral system and how a proportional representation system should function to strengthen democracy and Constitution.