Legislature says Cele's remarks not unparliamentary
23 October 2007
The ANC and KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Chief Whip, Hon. Cyril Xaba says, the
remarks attributed to the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, MEC
Bheki Cele during the fracas that ensued on the opening day, 22 October, of the
Taking the Legislature to the People currently underway in Vryheid were "not
offensive and unparliamentary".
The fracas ensued during the public interactive session of the Legislature
that allows ordinary members of the public to air their service delivery issues
before the Members of the Legislature and the Executive.
Xaba said: "The ANC is of the view that Cele's remarks were part of a normal
politicking process in a free and democratic dispensation. We therefore do not
support the IFP's demand for the MEC Cele to apologise."
The IFP has conditioned its participation in the current Taking Legislature
to the People (four-day sitting) currently underway in Vryheid (Cecil Emmet
Hall) on Cele's public apology.
Xaba further said: "Cele's remarks are found by the ANC caucus to be within
the realm of political debate and any attempt to suppress dissenting views will
not be tolerated."
He said the ANC refuses to submit itself to "the IFP's politics of
brinkmanship". He also assured the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the sitting
will proceed with or without the IFP's participation as it is their democratic
right to boycott the sessions of the Legislature.
For enquiries contact:
Hon. Cyril Xaba
Cell: 083 301 1845
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
23 October 2007
