Confusion over Zuma’s visit to KZN legislature

There is a confusion among opposition parties over the presence of former president Jacob Zuma in the presentation of a budget vote in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature of the Departments of  Economic Development and Agriculture.

Political parties such as the DA, NFP and EFF walked out of the legislature. Provincial DA leader ,Zwakele Mncwango, says they walked out because there was no proper consultation about Zuma’s invitation.

While IFP leader, Blessed Gwala, says they remained in the house so that they would get a chance to have an input on the budget as anticipated by the public and their members.

He described the walkout by other parties as pure grandstanding. Meanwhile, Chief Whip of the legislature, Nontembeko Boys, says the walkout was just a political statement rather than being in violation of any laws.

She says Zuma sat in the public gallery wing reserved for imminent persons and he was not going to address the house. Boys says there is no rule that was broken and denounced what she calls the distortion of the message in the media.

Zuma was an invited guest of the SACP and also provincial Agriculture MEC Themba Mthembu.