Cape Town - All information and communication technology
(ICT) systems were in working order on the day EFF MPs disrupted National
Assembly proceedings, Parliament's powers and privileges committee heard on
Monday.
This was the testimony of Ravi Poliah, Parliament's ICT
manager, who was the second witness to be sworn in at the disciplinary hearing
of EFF leader Julius Malema and 19 other EFF MPs.
"If there was an error that occurred during the
sitting, we have an incident logged with us," Poliah said.
"As far as I'm aware, there were no issues
logged."
On 21 August, shortly before the charged MPs disrupted
question time to President Jacob Zuma, Malema had complained that EFF members
pressed the to-talk button but did not get a chance to ask their question as
they were too far down on the list.
Only the first four MPs who press their buttons are
allowed to ask questions.
Poliah said the electronic system which determined the
order in which MPs should ask questions was in fact working on 21 August, and
that pre-testing of the system had picked up no errors.
Five other witnesses are expected to give evidence on
certain instances - where they played a role in engagements during the period
just before the suspension of the sitting until the adjournment of the House.
They include National Assembly sergeant-at-arms Regina
Mohlomi, Telecommunications Minister Siyabonga Cwele, State Security Minister
David Mahlobo, ANC Deputy Chief Whip Doris Dlakude, and DA Deputy Chief Whip
John Steenhuisen.
Malema and his colleagues face charges of disrupting and
displaying contempt for the National Assembly after shouting "pay back the
money" at Zuma.
This was after Malema questioned the president about
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's directive to reimburse the state for luxuries
added to his Nkandla home.
