Cape Town - Parliament is planning a major security crackdown to save President Jacob Zuma from embarrassment when he delivers the State of the Nation address (Sona) next month.
Senior officials are holding their breath that the address, which is the traditional highlight of Parliament’s calendar, will go ahead without incident amid threats of disruption by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The EFF said this week that it would disrupt proceedings on February 12 if Zuma failed to answer questions on paying back some of the Nkandla money, as directed by the public protector.
The party has requested Speaker Baleka Mbete to schedule a special sitting for Zuma to answer parliamentary questions before the official opening. She has rejected this.
There are now signs that Parliament is gearing up for a heavy-handed security response to the EFF’s threats.
The portfolio committee on police said it would meet with the top brass of the police later this month to discuss security plans for the day.
Chairman of the portfolio committee Francois Beukman this week said while the issue of security fell in the hands of presiding officers in Parliament, it was an important matter that would be taken up with the high echelons of the police.
Police chief Riah Phiyega will lead a high-level delegation of the police to discuss a range of issues, including security at Parliament and other national key points, at the end of January.
Beukman said safety and security at Parliament during Sona was crucial. “From the police perspective they have a constitutional duty to ensure the stability and security of the country. That is paramount, not only for Parliament, but for the country,” said Beukman.
He said when they meet with the top brass of the police at the end of January they will raise issues of safety during Sona.
The DA this week distanced itself from the threats made by the EFF on Sona.
The ANC also this week refused to be drawn on threats made by the EFF, saying this was a matter for Parliament.
A senior ANC MP said it would be foolhardy for Parliament and the ruling party not to have a security plan to handle the threat.
However, he warned that since the threat had been made public it could turn out to be a damp squib.
Spokesman for Parliament Luzuko Jacobs said this week they hoped Sona would continue without any hassles.
“The State of the Nation address is no ordinary sitting of the House. It is an extraordinary sitting of the House, called at the behest of the President. There is one agenda on the table,” said Jacobs.
“The State of the Nation address is the blueprint that informs the work of Parliament,” he said. “I am optimistic that there will be no disruptions.”
The institution and its presiding officers were heavily criticised by the opposition late last year for the strong-arm tactics used to eject EFF MPs who refused to vacate the House when ordered to do so by the Speaker.
In a first for South Africa’s democratic parliament, armed police entered the National Assembly and forcibly removed elected representatives. The ruling party has defended the use of the police to contain the violent conduct of EFF MPs and other opposition members.
Despite the ANC’s stance, both the ruling party and Parliament will hope to avoid a confrontation next month.
Political Bureau