ANC wants action against DA MP

2010-02-17 13:29

Johannesburg - The chief whip of the ANC on Wednesday called for the DA to take action against MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard for swearing in the National Assembly.

"The DA must come out and publicly condemn its behaviour," said spokesperson Moloto Mothapo in a statement.

Kohler-Barnard is accused of saying "fuck" when the Democratic Alliance and Congress of the People walked out of Parliament on Tuesday, in support of Cope MP Mluleki George.

George was ordered by Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo to withdraw a comment about the government leading the country into lawlessness. George refused and was ordered to leave, which led to the DA and Cope walking out.

Disturbing message

"The Office of the Chief calls on the leadership of the Democratic Alliance to break its silence and publicly denounce its filthy-mouthed Member of Parliament, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, for bellowing unprintable obscenities in the National Assembly on Tuesday," said Mothapo.

"There is absolutely no justification for such vulgarity, regardless of how discontent Kohler-Barnard was with the deputy speaker's decision."

Mothapo said the DA's silence sent a "disturbing" message to the public that such conduct was acceptable and that the party saw nothing wrong with it.

"Such behaviour tarnishes the image of Parliament and undermines the respect the people have in this important institution," he said.

"We cannot allow a situation whereby unruly parliamentarians turn the institution into a shebeen. The DA must come out and publicly condemn its behaviour."

Mothapo said the chief whip of the ANC, Mathole Motshekga, will ask Parliament to consider taking action against Kohler-Barnard.
 

- SAPA