Parliament notes with serious concern media reports alleging that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Chief Whip, Mr Floyd Shivambu, said last night that the EFF would be armed the next time Parliamentary Protection Officers confront them.
Members are not permitted to carry arms in the precinct of Parliament. Those who are armed when they arrive on the precinct are required to book in their arms in safes at the entrances to the Parliamentary buildings.
The reported comment is extremely dangerous and creates a difficult climate with the possibility of Members’ and Parliamentary employees’ lives being threatened. The institution cannot take such threats lightly, given the current climate.
Parliament has a duty to ensure that the institution is able to carry out its Constitutional mandate, that Members are able to carry out their duties as public representatives and that Parliament’s employees are able to carry out their support services in pursuit of these objectives without any safety concerns.
Improved security at Parliament will continue – not only for special events but for the general functioning of the national legislature. Whatever steps are taken to ensure that the institution’s work is not compromised, will be in line with the Constitution and the law, including the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2004.
The debate on the State of the Nation Address at a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces on Tuesday and on Wednesday and the President’s reply to the debate at a joint sitting on Thursday will be managed in terms of the Constitution, the law, Parliamentary rules, conventions and precedent.
All Members and Parties have a duty to ensure that Parliament retains its stature and dignity as a key institution of our democracy. Statements of the kind as has been reported only serve to undermine a key institution of democracy, create a negative climate and are threatening to Parliament, its Members and staff.
