Zondo lays down the law, won't tolerate disruptions during first sitting of Parliament

Source: EWN Traffic
Author: Lindsay Dentlinger

CAPE TOWN - Chief Justice Raymond Zondo won't be tolerating disruptions when he presides over the first sitting of Parliament on Friday.

He's made some last-minute amendments to the rules that will apply during the election of a National Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the president.

Big event days in Parliament have often been the scene of sometimes violent disruptions that have forced proceedings to be halted for more than an hour.

But the Chief Justice will be having none of it.

Zondo has laid down the law for new MPs - that they must conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

According to amendments made to the rules made on Thursday, Zondo said that he would have the right to order any member to leave the chamber if they did not abide.

The Chief Justice will have the right to suspend business to have a disorderly member removed immediately.

In the event of violence because a member is resisting removal from the chamber, the Chief Justice will suspend proceedings to have the person removed by security services.

None of the security services working in the chamber on Friday may be armed.

The Chief Justice said he would not be tolerating any offensive or abusive language or behaviour, neither unbecoming gestures.

Zondo said that should any matter arise on Friday that's not accommodated in the rules, he will have the power to deal with it as he deems fit.