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Vice President David Mabuza had to answer questions about why Police Minister Bheki Cele and State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo were sitting next to the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, in the magistrates court from Senekal recently.
Mabuza was answering questions in a virtual session of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday afternoon.
While answering questions about the government’s plans for social cohesion, Democratic Alliance MP Cathlene Labuschagne asked Mabuza what she thought of Cele and Dlodlo sitting next to Malema and other EFF leaders “as if they were having champagne lunch at a side “while in Senekal. Said the EFF was not “blameless [in] causing more hostility and division ”in Senekal in recent weeks.
Labuschagne had not finished asking his question when EFF MP Mmabatho Mokause interrupted on a point of order. He said that the EFF was not going to allow such questioning because the party had gone to Senekal to defend what belongs to South Africa.
However, as Mokause made his way to the house, other MPs chimed in and one could be heard repeatedly: “Who the hell are you, Mokause?”
Another deputy was heard saying “Mokause is washing us [Mokause is undermining us]. “
Other deputies called for all those who spoke out of turn to be silenced. “Where is the mute button? Silence them, silence them! others screamed.
The voice of the president of the NCOP, Amos Masondo, could barely be heard as he yelled, “Order. Order.”
But Labuschagne was not silenced by the din that followed and continued to ask her question.
“You just said that we all have to condemn corruption and racism. Do you think that the image of the minister of national police and the ministers of state security sitting next to the leader of a party that has further amplified the racial divisions in Senekal… ”he began.
At this point, Mokause jumped up again.
“That is a blatant lie; that’s a blatant lie. Those are national leaders; those are members of parliament, all of them. It doesn’t matter if they’re sitting next to each other. “
Masondo allowed Labuschagne to continue asking him questions.
Labuschagne asked to be allowed to repeat his last question. But Mokause didn’t accept any of that.
“He is not repeating anything here that is illegal. You are not repeating anything. It’s silly. “
Finally, calm was restored and Labuschagne finished asking his question.
“You just said that we all have to condemn corruption and racism. Do you think that the image of the minister of national police and ministers of state security sitting next to the leader of a party that has further amplified racial divisions in Senekal and throughout South Africa sends the right message to the people of the country when we are dealing with to lay the foundations for reconciliation and peace after the tragic events in Senekal? “
Three weeks ago, EFF members led by Malema visited the Free State town after a police van was set on fire in front of Senekal Magistrates Court and white farmers who were angry about the murder of a farm manager Brendin Horner they shot at the court.
Malema’s visit came after the arrest of two suspects, whose appearance in court he attended. Dlodlo and Cele were also in Senekal magistrates court that day.
Responding to Labuschagne’s question, Mabuza said deputies should be careful not to bring Senekal’s feelings home.
He said the deputies were old and given the responsibility of running the country and that they should not degenerate into the Senekal “crisis”.
Mabuza said that Cele, Dlodlo and Malema were all leaders, who are also members of the National Assembly.
“Remember that they have a responsibility, as much as they are in opposition. They have the responsibility of running a country, everyone. So I don’t think you should worry about them sitting together arguing. I don’t know what they were talking about but these are leaders who are represented in the National Assembly. So I respect them that way, ”Mabuza said.
He added that he wanted to remind the trio that they had a responsibility to the country to condemn racism, gender-based violence and corruption. He told NCOP members that everyone had a responsibility to build a prosperous, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
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