ANC MPs have demanded an investigation into a demonstration by members of an NGO coalition during a meeting of the committee processing the proposed Protection of Information Bill.
The MPs were angered on Tuesday by members of the Right2Know campaign, seated at the back of a parliamentary committee room, who suddenly pulled out masks depicting the face of State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele and raised handwritten placards.
The incident took place just after opposition parties dramatically walked out in protest over what they considered a breach of procedure.
The DA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and the IFP all walked out, arguing that according to Parliament’s rules the committee had ceased to exist last month.
But it was the silent demonstration by between five and 10 Right2Know activists that riled ANC MPs. Committee chairman Cecil Burgess quickly rebuked the protesters, objecting to the raising of placards in a meeting. “Please, never do it again, otherwise I will have to get you removed,” he warned.
But ANC MPs, who besides Cope’s Smuts Ngonyama were the only ones left in the meeting, wanted the issue to be taken further with Vytjie Mentor charging that it was “illegal” to protest inside the Parliamentary precinct and adding that the matter was “grievous” and should be taken further.
Another ANC MP, Lluwelyn Landers, said it would be interesting to find out how the protesters had represented themselves at Parliament’s visitors centre. “What is niggling me is how they represented themselves when they came in. You get asked when you come here, what are you here for? Did they say they were coming to this committee meeting to demonstrate or did they lie?”
Landers compared the incident to one in 1994 when then president Nelson Mandela’s speech was disrupted by Freedom Front youths who, seated in the gallery of the National Assembly, unfurled a banner and started singing Afrikaans songs.
He said that incident had raised security fears and Parliament had then taken a decision that it was inappropriate to allow protests in the precinct.
Burgess told the Cape Times he would report the matter to Speaker Max Sisulu’s office for consideration. About the opposition’s walk-out, Burgess said he had a “strong belief” that they would be back sooner rather than later. “I will make a special effort to invite them back, even if it’s behind closed doors.”
The opposition parties protested against what they called a “procedural travesty” because of the way Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo had extended the lifespan of the committee.
They argued that the committee had ceased to exist on January 28, and claimed that only a sitting of Parliament could have extended its lifespan, failing which a new ad hoc committee would have to be appointed.
This argument is supported by Parliamentary rules which state that an ad hoc committee ceases to exist if it has not completed its task by the set date.
But on January 28, Mfeketo granted an extension to March 31, saying her decision was subject to ratification by the House. - Political Bureau