Lekota ordered out of National Assembly
2012-06-12 17:37
Cape Town - Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota was ordered to leave the National Assembly chamber on Tuesday after refusing to withdraw remarks he made in the House last week.
During the presidency budget vote debate last Wednesday, Lekota accused President Jacob Zuma of violating his oath of office.
Lekota said, among other things, the president had failed to uphold his constitutional obligation to protect the rights of artist Brett Murray, who depicted Zuma with his genitals exposed, and City Press editor Ferial Haffajee, who refused to remove an image of the painting from the newspaper's website.
At the time, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande asked Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo, who was in the chair, to rule whether Lekota could make such a "serious statement" about Zuma.
"If a member of this House can stand and make a serious statement that the president has violated his oath of office... such a statement is a serious thing. Madam chair, I ask you to rule," Nzimande said.
Mfeketo said the matter would be ruled on later.
On Tuesday, Mfeketo ruled that members could make such allegations of improper conduct only by way of a substantive motion and ordered Lekota to withdraw his remarks.
Lekota refused, saying his conscience would not allow him to withdraw.
He maintained he was exercising his constitutional right to freedom of speech in Parliament, accompanied by such privilege as enjoyed by MPs.
Mfeketo then ordered him to leave the chamber. As he left the House he was joined by a large number of Cope and Democratic Alliance MPs.
- SAPA
