An incorrect written reply from the Minister of Police claiming that the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Baleka Mbete, ordered the police to be in Parliament on 21 August, was brought to the attention of the Presiding Officers today.
The written reply further incorrectly states that 37 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were deployed in the House on that day.
The Ministry has since said that this incorrect reply will be retracted.
It is important to note that some units of the police, such as the VIP Protection Unit and the Protection and Security Services of the SAPS, are stationed in and operate within the Parliamentary precinct. Some members of these units were present outside the NA Chamber when the 21 August incident occurred.
The submission of this incorrect information to both Parliament and the media is a cause for concern.
It is hoped that the Ministry will address the internal processes which resulted in such incorrect information being compiled, distributed to the media and sent to Parliament.
