The Justice Crime and Prevention Cluster (JCPS) led by Mapisa -Nqakula today addressed the media on the ‘staged protest’ by EFF members in Parliament.

‘All citizens of the country whilst exercising their rights must do so within the confines of the law,’ said Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa –Nqakula during a media briefing on the on the disruptions that unfolded in parliament last week.

Mapisa – Nqakula said that the JCPS had decided to take action as they could ‘not stand idle as democracy was undermined in full glare of the public and world’.

“There is no doubt that South Africans were disgusted with what happened in Parliament,” she said.

“This incident was the first of its kind in the 20 years of our democracy.”

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko told reporters that effective plans had been put in place to deal with such incidents in the future.

Hleko also admitted to calling the police on Thursday, adding that they had exercised a lot of restraint in dealing with protestors.

The Q&A session of the media briefing became a little heated when journalists questioned the security cluster’s involvement in the parliamentary matter.

“Are we being told that the EFF is a security risk, one journalist asked.

“You are seeking to create controversy,” Mapisa-Nqakula shot back.

Mapisa-Nqakula said the cluster recognised the independence of Parliament but could not stand by as “democracy is undermined”.

Mapisa-Nqakula stated that parliament was conducting its own investigation on the matter and that the role of security ministers was only for analysis of the event and to deal with security measures to be put in place.