A JOVIAL President Jacob Zuma went on the attack on Thursday, rebuking unruly MPs for crossing the line of decorum during the debate on his budget vote on Wednesday.
Late in the debate African National Congress (ANC) MP and deputy minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela triggered furious exchanges with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that at one stage threatened to turn into a brawl. He had compared the EFF to the Nazis.
Replying to the debate, Mr Zuma was at times jovial — a stark contrast to his stony expression during the debate.
Mr Zuma, without referring to any party by name, said that “the proceedings in the National Assembly should be characterised by tolerance and respect. This should happen even if MPs disagree on an issue”.
A certain decorum should apply in the National Assembly and some MPs had crossed the line on Wednesday evening.
Leaders had a responsibility to maintain standards, he said.
He also took aim at Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota who had questioned where the money would come from to fund South Africa’s commitment to the Brics (Brazil, Russia, China and India) Development Bank. Mr Zuma said the money would come from the fiscus and that all countries would contribute.
“It is important to note that the benefits of participating in the New Development Bank … outweigh the costs of establishing it.
“The bank will complement existing sources of financing to cater for the ever increasing development needs in areas of energy, rail and road….”
EFF leader Julius Malema was taken to task for suggesting the ANC government had lied to people in Limpopo when it promised a water scheme and a hospital.
“Actually, work has begun on the two key projects,” Mr Zuma said, adding that the Giyani water scheme upgrade would be completed this year and “the redevelopment of Siloam Hospital in Vhembe is being implemented in two stages … new staff housing and a 350-bed district hospital.
“The tender process has begun and … construction will begin in August 2015, and the project will take 30 months.…”
Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane argued that SA was a poorer place for his 16-year-old sister because of the poor performance of the government and Mr Zuma should lead or “step aside”.
“Honourable Maimane and his family are better off today because the ANC is running this country.
“The very fact that Honourable Maimane is in Parliament today leading the opposition, is due to the opportunities that freedom and democracy brought to young people in this country, thanks to the ANC. So, Honourable Maimane, enjoy the freedom brought to you by the ANC, with our full compliments, or step aside,” Mr Zuma said.
President Jacob Zuma. Picture: GCIS
A JOVIAL President Jacob Zuma went on the attack on Thursday, rebuking unruly MPs for crossing the line of decorum during the debate on his budget vote on Wednesday.
Late in the debate African National Congress (ANC) MP and deputy minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela triggered furious exchanges with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that at one stage threatened to turn into a brawl. He had compared the EFF to the Nazis.
Replying to the debate, Mr Zuma was at times jovial — a stark contrast to his stony expression during the debate.
Mr Zuma, without referring to any party by name, said that “the proceedings in the National Assembly should be characterised by tolerance and respect. This should happen even if MPs disagree on an issue”.
A certain decorum should apply in the National Assembly and some MPs had crossed the line on Wednesday evening.
Leaders had a responsibility to maintain standards, he said.
He also took aim at Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota who had questioned where the money would come from to fund South Africa’s commitment to the Brics (Brazil, Russia, China and India) Development Bank. Mr Zuma said the money would come from the fiscus and that all countries would contribute.
“It is important to note that the benefits of participating in the New Development Bank … outweigh the costs of establishing it.
“The bank will complement existing sources of financing to cater for the ever increasing development needs in areas of energy, rail and road….”
EFF leader Julius Malema was taken to task for suggesting the ANC government had lied to people in Limpopo when it promised a water scheme and a hospital.
“Actually, work has begun on the two key projects,” Mr Zuma said, adding that the Giyani water scheme upgrade would be completed this year and “the redevelopment of Siloam Hospital in Vhembe is being implemented in two stages … new staff housing and a 350-bed district hospital.
“The tender process has begun and … construction will begin in August 2015, and the project will take 30 months.…”
Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane argued that SA was a poorer place for his 16-year-old sister because of the poor performance of the government and Mr Zuma should lead or “step aside”.
“Honourable Maimane and his family are better off today because the ANC is running this country.
“The very fact that Honourable Maimane is in Parliament today leading the opposition, is due to the opportunities that freedom and democracy brought to young people in this country, thanks to the ANC. So, Honourable Maimane, enjoy the freedom brought to you by the ANC, with our full compliments, or step aside,” Mr Zuma said.
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