Opposition tests Mbete’s resolve
MPs reinforce their message that Jacob Zuma has violated the Constitution
In scenes reminiscent of the 2015 state of the nation address, an expanded security ring around the parliamentary precinct and cheering ANC MPs served as a bulwark for President Jacob Zuma against opposition jeers on Thursday night. For the first time in recent memory, the ANC arranged a parade minutes away from the Mother City’s Grand Parade for Zuma to attend and address after delivering his speech. EFF MPs, and COPE and the DA to a lesser extent, ran the show in the National Assembly the minute Zuma stepped into the chamber. In a tense one-and-a-half hour standoff with the two presiding officers — speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairwoman Thandi Modise — EFF MPs ran rings around the two officials, rising on points of order to make the same point: Zuma was not fit to address the House. One after the other, EFF MPs rose to reinforce one message: Zuma had violated the constitution and did not deserve to address Parliament. The rejection of the plea by the DA ...
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