Photo: Athi Mtongana / Twitter screenshot
Photo: Athi Mtongana / Twitter screenshot
EFF members – Julius Malema included – caused a huge dust-up in Parliament earlier, as the Red Berets clashed with DA MPs in the National Assembly. A debate on the in-sourcing of private workers turned nasty when Juju focused his attention towards Ghaleb Cachalia.
The DA representative was on the receiving end of a personal rant from Malema, who squared up to his political opponent with a series of gestures and a face-to-face confrontation. A shouting match ensued, and it dragged more members into the chaotic exchange.
What caused the EFF vs DA dust-up?
EFF Secretary General Godrich Gardee was the next to come piling in. He approached Cachalia and jabbed his finger towards the sitting MP repeatedly. Then, as he returns to his seat, a crowd of representatives were entangled in a small-scale brawl. Marshall Dlamini, an EFF member, grabbed hold of another DA MP’s arm as things continued to escalate.
Finally, the tension was eased as the sparring polticians were separated. The entire incident left DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen incandescent, and he lamented the “gross violation” of Parliamentary procedure:
“Honourable House chair can you gain control of the House please… Honourable members, the behaviour is unacceptable, please. What has just happened here is a gross violation of the rules of Parliament. It is not acceptable for members to be threatened the way they have been threatened.”
John Steenhuisen
DA respond to heated exchange
Cachalia branded the EFF “fascist” for their strong-armed approach:
Just came within an inch of being physically attacked by the CIC of VBS in parliament. Then @Julius_S_Malema resorted to flinging expletives. This how how fascists roll @Our_DA #paybackthemoney
— ghaleb cachalia. MP (@GhalebCachalia) September 17, 2019
Julius Malema addresses the house
Ironically, this was one of Julius Malema’s less-animated speeches. He presented his point about insourcing in a cordial manner, and the trouble only flared up once his address had finished. He slammed the ANC for wasting money on tender processes, and for ‘failing to trust’ black officials.
“Today government appoints private companies to provide simple services such as security, gardening, travel, cleaning, general maintenance and other services. Government also appoints consultants to develop strategies, write basic documents, reports and plans.”
“As South Africa we have succumbed to the narrative that blacks do not have the capacity to govern their own affairs, that there must be control by a private sector which is dominated by white owned companies.”
Julius Malema
Watch the EFF spark another fight in Parliament here:
[WATCH] An exchange between EFF MPs and some DA MPs in Parliament. This, just after EFF leader Julius Malema concluded his speech on insourcing of workers at a debate in the National Assembly. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/hpU8xcwh0A
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) September 17, 2019
