‘E-smoking Freedom Front’? EFF MP Nazier Paulsen issued an apology for smoking during a virtual parliamentary sitting. Image via Twitter: @Naledi_Mailula
Joint sitting? EFF MP called out for ‘puffing a zol’ in parly meeting [watch]
‘Where there is smoke…’ EFF MP Nazier Paulsen was caught unawares smoking during a parliamentary sitting on Wednesday.
‘E-smoking Freedom Front’? EFF MP Nazier Paulsen issued an apology for smoking during a virtual parliamentary sitting. Image via Twitter: @Naledi_Mailula
Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) MP Nazier Paulsen has found himself apologising for casually puffing away during a virtual parliamentary sitting that took place on Wednesday 23 March.
Initially, Paulsen denied smoking anything during the meeting, but later headed online to issue an apology for doing so…
EFF MP catches smoke for puffing during parliamentary sitting
Controversial EFF MP Nazier Paulsen found himself in a bit of hot water after he was caught in action smoking during a parliamentary sitting on Wednesday this week.
Paulsen was one of many MPs attending the Cabinet’s economics cluster question-and-answer session.
DA MP Joe McGluwa, who was also in the meeting, brought up Paulsen’s smoking to the attention of National Assembly deputy speaker Lechesa Tsenoli.
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‘The honourable Nazier is smoking zol’
“Honourable deputy speaker, I wanted to find out of its parliamentary to smoke zol on a virtual platform? The honourable Nazier is smoking zol on the platform,” he said.
“I hope it’s not true, honourable member. I think it would be unfortunate if that were the case,” an appalled Tsenoli replied.
TimesLive reports that Paulsen initially denied smoking and asked Tsenoli to “get his eyes checked”, adding that he was holding a pen, not a cigarette.
The MP who backtracked
After a video was made public of him smoking, Paulsen then took to his Instagram page where he apologised for smoking during the parliamentary meeting.
According to the MP, he had not realised that his camera was on while he was vaping away:
“I wish to apologise for the incident of 23 March 2022 where I virtually attended a sitting of parliament and had inadvertently left my camera on while I was puffing on my vape,” he said while adding:
“I also wish to extend my humblest apology to the members of EFF, parliament, fellow MPs, and the South African public. It was done unintentionally and is in no way a reflection of my regard towards the grave responsibility entrusted to me by the organisation and voters,” he said.
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