The Presiding Officers of Parliament says they are not expecting Member of Parliament to ask questions or raise points of orders during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday. But they say should there be disruptions, they will be guided by the standing codes that govern the institution. These include the rules, the conventions and the Acts of Parliament.
The EFF has threatened to raise points of orders or ask questions during SONA.
Speaker Baleka Mbete says they cannot pre-empt what may happen on the day, but they will apply what is relevant as a situation calls for it.
“We cannot possibly sit and speculate about what is going to happen we really are just not going to be speculating we hear these stories we hear whatever you are expecting we are not in the business of speculating we will deal with that as it unfolds,” says Mbete.
Parliament could also not confirm whether public police officers will be deployed.
Head of Security Zelda Holtzman says police decide on their own when they should intervene, depending on the situation.
Holtzman says when it comes to police deployment it is the police who decide deployment depending on the situation operationally or what might be determined by unfolding situation.
“We can’t pre determine neither it is our position to comment on whether the police were deploy and how will they be deployed the police deployment is a prerogative of the police operationally,” explained Holtzman.
Parliament has also confirmed that it received a letter today from the DA indicating that they will not take part on post SONA dinner. The party has reportedly labelled these arrangements as fruitless expenditure.
Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP Papi Tau says the DA is playing politics and should actually be held accountable for last minute cancellation.
About 721 guests will fill the public gallery, from business and labour to religious organisations. Political parties also receive tickets on a proportial basis to invite their own guests.
– By
