Van der Merwe joke(s) in Parliament
2013-02-26 17:02
Cape Town - An announcement by an IFP MP was mistaken for a Van der Merwe joke in a National Assembly sitting on Tuesday.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP Koos van der Merwe informed MPs he would be attending a huge gathering near Paarl.
"Thousands of Van der Merwes will gather there to celebrate being the number one family in South Africa," said the long-serving MP.
He told the house that "both Van der Merwes" currently serving in the National Assembly would be adding "glory to this historic event".
The other Van der Merwe MP to whom he was referring was fellow IFP member Liezl van der Merwe.
The veteran MP had to amend his statement when he remembered there was a third Van der Merwe in the house.
"Mr Speaker, I forgot the other beautiful Van der Merwe, Sue [ANC MP]... If we don't invite her, she will sue us."
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel took the opportunity to jump up and ask the Speaker whether it was "parliamentary to tell Van der Merwe jokes in the chamber".
- SAPA
