An independent legal opinion received by Parliament has recommended a disciplinary hearing be convened in the matter involving EFF MP, Nazier Paulsen.
This follows his alleged threatening utterances against former DA MP, Phumzile Van Damme in March this year. Paulsen allegedly threatened to deal with Van Damme outside the house after a heated exchange between them during a sitting of the National Assembly.
The two MPs were ordered to leave the house.
DA Chief Whip, Natasha Mazzone later submitted a compliant to the Speaker.
Chairperson of the Powers and Privileges Committee, Philemon Mapulane says a legal independent opinion found that there is prima facie evidence to sustain a charge of threatened assault.
“So, we are proceeding and I hear the members to say … the majority of the members are saying that we must proceed to prefer charges against the Honourable Paulsen. The members are also supporting the proposal that we must appoint an initiator. Parliament must also do that in consultation with the … Members are also supporting that an additional charge against the presiding officer on the day, Honourable Deputy speaker, which is an additional charge,” says Philemon Mapulane.
EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi charged against the chairperson of the committee Philemon Mapulane who is also an ANC MP. This after the majority of members in the committee took a decision calling on action against Paulsen.
The committee also wants action to be taken against Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli, who was the presiding officer during the said session. But Ndlozi vehemently opposed the decision of the committee.
“That is your recommendation that we must do a disciplinary case. We must recommend an initiator and charge Honourable Paulsen. So, you are all wrong to say we can’t arrive at that conclusion. It’s not true. So, the process we have … that’s why we have the video chairperson. So, even if you disagree, but at least do not distort the process. That’s why we have the video. That’s why we have to ask Honourable Paulsen to write to us. So, what stage we are at? We are at … should we charge Paulsen or not? And I am saying we shouldn’t,” argued Ndlozi.
DA MP Mohammed Hoosen dismissed the reasoning by Ndlozi.
“After Honourable Ndlozi’s comment, I am more convinced that there is proceeding that needs to be instituted. When you say someone has already paid for their conduct it means that there was a conduct that needs to be probed. So, even by his own admission, I am convinced that we probe the matter further,” said Hoosen.
But the committee had a final say on the matter.
Ndlozi was also kicked out of the virtual meeting following a heated exchange between him and Mapulane.
