Chief executives of companies watched in stunned amazement in Parliament yesterday after Black First, Land First (BFLF) leader Andile Mngxitama almost came to blows with a senior ANC MP.
Mngxitama became embroiled in a physical confrontation with the chairperson of the standing on finance, Yunus Carrim, after he had hurled insults at a chairperson of another committee.
The confrontation and slanging match between the two left the chief executives and other business leaders in the House stunned and embarrassed.
The joint committees on finance, and trade and industry were holding public hearings on the transformation of the financial sector.
Chief executive of the JSE Nicky Newton-King had just presented when Mngxitama followed her. Also to present to the joint committees was the chairperson of the Co-operative Banks Development Agency, Desmond Golding.
Chief executive of the National Credit Regulator Nomsa Motshegare also took part in the discussions.
In a packed room in Parliament the business leaders looked on as Mngxitama and Carrim verbally attacked each other and almost had a fight. In scenes reminiscent of EFF MPs fighting protection officers in Parliament before being ejected, Mngxitama and Carrim were close to beating each other up. It took the intervention of other MPs to stop the meeting from degenerating into a brawl.
Business leaders from various companies watched in horror as the two came close to trading blows. Parliamentary staff hurriedly called the police, who came in, but Carrim and Mngxitama had already been separated by MPs.
Mngxitama had been accused by some of the MPs of defending the Guptas, while he called for the destruction of "white monopoly capital".
The BFLF members who had gathered around Mngxitama criticised Parliament's ejection of their leader.
This was after Carrim had instructed Mngxitama to leave the chamber for insulting the chairperson of the portfolio committee on trade and industry, Joan Fubbs.
Mngxitama had called Fubbs
"a fascist" after she reminded him that his speaking time in the meeting was up.
Each person had been given a set time to speak because of a long list of companies to present to MPs.
It took the intervention of other MPs to calm down Mngxitama and Carrim.
Mngxitama, who presented immediately after Newton-King, launched a stinging attack on the banks.
David Maynier of the DA said Mngxitama's performance was a sideshow for the cameras.