MBOMBELA – Legislature members know the rules of the house, but don’t always act accordingly. This was the response by the Speaker, Ms Thandi Shongwe following a dramatic sitting of the house last week.
It follows her ordering DA MPL Ms Jane Sithole to leave the house during a debate last Thursday. Sithole claimed not to know the reason for her expulsion.
“It is very disturbing and regrettable that the members sometimes behave as if they don’t know the rules that guide the proceedings of the house,” she said. “(She) deliberately contravened the rules of the house and behaved in a grossly disorderly manner. This was in contravention of rule 40 of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature’s Rules and Orders.”
The rule provides that the presiding officer may order the member to immediately leave the chamber for the remainder of the sitting if she is deliberately contravening a provision of these rules or grossly disorderly.
“Following the observed behaviour of member Sithole during the sitting, the Speaker was left with no other option but to invoke rule 40 of the rules and orders which allows her to order a member to vacate the chamber.”
Sithole said her party’s legal team was looking into the interpretation of the unilateral powers, the rules and orders afforded the Speaker.
“On this advice we intend to make a submission to the rules committee of the legislature, which has the power to amend the rules.”
