MBOMBELA – A heated debate ensued during a sitting of the Mpumalanga Legislature yesterday.
During the sitting, which took place at the Ehlanzeni District Council chambers, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) tabled a notice of motion that the house debate the the inability of the premier to do his job, during its next sitting.
EFF provincial leader Mr Collen Sedibe said that since premier Mr David Mabuza had been on sick leave for 37 days, he had an “inability to perform his functions”.
It was met with derision from the ANC, who called the suggestion “inhuman opportunism”.
Speaker Ms Thandi Shongwe said the house could not have a debate on one of its members.
Sedibe insisted, and the sitting erupted into chaos.
Eventually Shongwe yelled to be heard, “We have a premier in the house who has been sworn in.”
Safety and security MEC Mr Vusi Shongwe has been acting as premier since September 9.
Speaker Shongwe eventually ruled that the parts of the constitution dictating the rules on acting officials, will be debated during the next sitting.
Earlier in the sane sitting the house had defeated a motion brought by the EFF that a new premier be elected.
