The Powers and Privileges Committee today commences deliberations in a closed meeting on the report by the initiator after concluding interviews of witnesses last week on 30 October 2014. The Committee concluded interviews of witnesses with the testimony of the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Mr Siyabonga Cwele, who testified in an affidavit because he could not attend the meeting.
The initiator’s report is regarding the disciplinary hearing of 20 Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters regarding the incident of the 21 August 2014 in the National Assembly.
Similarly, the Committee received another referral from the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Baleka Mbete to inquire on the incident that occurred on 17 September 2014 in the National Assembly, in which the Deputy President was responding to oral questions and he was called a murderer by Mr Floyd Shivambu of the Economic Freedom Fighters, who subsequently prompted the Speaker to instruct him to withdraw his remarks and after refusing, the Speaker ordered him to leave the House whereby he gestured a middle finger to the Deputy President on his way out.
The Committee has now been tasked to inquire if this gesture does not constitute contempt of Parliament.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Justice Molafo
Cell: 078 865 0135
Tel: 021 403 8444
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
