Parliament, Cape Town - An SA National Defence Union (Sandu) organiser was booted from a meeting of Parliament's portfolio committee on Thursday for wearing shorts, revealing his tattooed legs.
Several ANC MPs objected to the presence of a “male child in shorts and tattoos”, referring to Western Cape Sandu organiser Tim Flack.
The Democratic Alliance's David Maynier was the only MP to defend Flack, saying members of the public were free to attend committee meetings and it was “inappropriate” for MPs to comment on their dress.
ANC MPs said Flack did not conform to Parliament's dress code.
Acting committee chairman Alpheus Mokabhe Maziya intervened and said he had a problem with an “individual wearing shorts”.
“I don't think it's correct, more especially if members of a trade union who know it's an official session of Parliament, not a rally.
“I ask the member 1/8Flack 3/8 to recuse 1/8himself 3/8 from the meeting.”
When Flack tried to address the committee he was told he did not have speaking powers.
Shortly before leaving Flack proclaimed: “This is a joke, an absolute joke. Goodbye”.
Sapa