Pretoria - Government says it is "disappointed and disgusted" at what it described as the "despicable" conduct of some elected public representatives.
Reacting to the chaos that erupted in parliament earlier during the delivery of the State of the Nation Address, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said government condemned the "unruly and un-parliamentary conduct" of some Members of Parliament “whose intention is to render this respectable institution ungovernable”.
“The events that unfolded in Parliament were aimed at bringing our hard earned democracy into disrepute,” Minister Radebe said.
Earlier, a group of EFF members interrupted President Jacob Zuma as he was about to deliver the SONA speech.
“This democracy we enjoy today came with enormous sacrifice, bloodshed and loss of lives. People of this country died for this democracy for these members to be elected to be public representatives. Their actions dishonour the lives of those who paid the ultimate price,” Radebe said.
He said the President, as the Head of State, convened the joint sitting in line with the constitution, to deliver the State of the Nation Address. Therefore, the State of the Nation Address is a solemn occasion which should be respected.
“The President called in all levers of state, the executive, judiciary and a legislature, to address the nation and not to respond to questions or for any other business,” added Minister Radebe.
Furthermore, the President also called for public inputs into the State of the Nation Address.
“Therefore the people of South Africa should be disappointed and outraged that they were denied the opportunity to hear the President respond in a climate of dignity.”
The minister said the behaviour of the MPs and conduct could not be tolerated and urged Parliament to apply the rules and take stern action against these members.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy and cannot allow such embarrassing scenes to go unpunished,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za
