Parliament - DA MP David Maynier's mental health came under discussion in the National Assembly on Tuesday
“That is a batty lunatic member of Parliament,” Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu observed, after Maynier rose on a point of order, spread wide his arms like wings, and told the House that Sisulu had “zoomed” around the country in a jet.
The exchange occurred while Sisulu was speaking during debate on a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, brought by DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane.
Sisulu had earlier accused the DA of having “an axe to grind” with Zuma.
Her labelling Maynier a “batty lunatic” prompted DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen to leap up and tell Speaker Baleka Mbete the remark was unparliamentary.
Mbete ordered Sisulu to withdraw, which she reluctantly did.
“I withdraw that the member is indeed batty,” Sisulu said.
Steenhuisen then told Mbete he believed the word batty was within parliamentary bounds, but it was the assertion that Maynier was a lunatic he wanted withdrawn.
Sisulu again reluctantly conceded to do so, but only after calling on Mbete to protect her from Maynier raising his arms like a bat.
“I will withdraw lunatic from those members who behave like bats, and therefore I will call them batty,” she told the House.
Maynier frequently crossed swords with Sisulu during her time as defence minister.
Sapa