[ad_1]
Tensions flared in a session of the National Assembly.
Jeffrey Abrahams, Gallo Images
- EFF MP Nazier Paulsen and DA MP Phumzile van Damme have been shown the door during a session of the National Assembly.
- Van Damme said Paulsen threatened her.
- Paulsen also made xenophobic comments to Van Damme and the chief prosecutor, Natasha Mazzone.
Vice President Lechesa Tsenoli expelled EFF MP Nazier Paulsen and DA MP Phumzile van Damme from a hybrid session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, as tension simmered between the two opposition parties.
Van Damme, who was ordered to leave after Paulsen, was accompanied by two male prosecutors MPs after Paulsen allegedly threatened to deal with her outside the House.
Early in the mess, Paulsen also told her to return to Swaziland, and the chief district attorney whipped Natasha Mazzone to return to Italy.
When he left, Van Damme waved at him and Tsenoli warned him not to be provocative or that she would follow him. Paulsen could be seen pointing in the direction of Van Damme. She said that he threatened to beat her.
He then had a heated exchange with other EFF MPs, and Tsenoli ordered him out of the House.
Mogamad Nazier Paulsen of the EFF. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Adrian de Kock)
Van Damme said: “With pleasure, with pleasure. You allow women to be threatened here and you allow them to be xenophobic.”
As he was leaving, Mazzone got up for a point of order and said that Paulsen had said he would be waiting for Van Damme outside. He called for a police escort for Van Damme. Tsenoli said they wouldn’t touch it and that there were people to make sure it didn’t happen.
DA MP Chris Hunsinger followed Van Damme off camera, closely followed by another DA MP.
EFF MP Natasha Ntlangwini said what had been said about Paulsen was “totally wrong.”
READ ALSO | Panel recommends that Parliament initiate deportation proceedings against Busiswe Mkhwebane
“Nazier has never threatened Phumzile van Damme, and Nazier, I have worked with him for 10 years, will never lay a hand on any woman.”
“Honorable Member, have a seat, because I heard what you said,” Tsenoli said.
Tensions flared after a statement by EFF deputy Naledi Chirwa in which Tsenoli ordered her to withdraw some comments about Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, which she did.
Tsenoli complained about the deputies’ behavior, to which Paulsen replied that the problem was the elderly in the speaker’s chair.
Phumzile van Damme from the district attorney.
News24 Jan Gerber, News24
What exactly happened at that point is unclear from the hybrid session broadcast, as the footage is momentarily cut off to another MP’s zoom screen. When the footage came back, Mazzone stood between Paulsen and some DA MPs with open arms.
Paulsen said that DA deputy Kevin Mileham had charged him.
“I want to see you deal with a white boy in this House! Show me that you have the guts to deal with a white boy!” Paulsen said, pointing at Tsenoli.
Tsenoli ordered him to stand down, which he eventually did, but there were many more shouts and comments about Tsenoli, from both opposition parties.
Finally, Ntlangwini and Mazzone apologized for their parties’ behavior, and Mazzone argued that, as whip boss, she had a duty to try to avoid a physical altercation by coming between the prosecution MPs and Paulsen.
Nonetheless, Tsenoli struggled to regain her cool until she kicked out Paulsen and Van Damme.
In 2018, Paulsen jumped on a bench to physically confront Agang’s MP Andries Tlouamma.
Did you know that you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
