Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
Joyce Mashamba, Limpopo's MEC for sports, arts and culture, could find herself in hot water following her disruptive behaviour at the legislature on Monday.
Mashamba is alleged to have confronted Ike Kekana, leader of the United Independent Front (UIF), and accused him of "waging an ugly war against me".
Sources in the legislature claim that Kekana had to jump over tables and dash out of the legislature, with the enraged Mashamba in hot pursuit.
"Mashamba was so angry that had he not jumped a table and run away, she might have punched him," said the source.
Kekana yesterday confirmed the incident, saying he had been intimidated by "the manner in which Mashamba acted, and I had had to run for dear life ".
Mashamba and her departmental head, Deliwe Nyathikazi, became enraged when Kekana insisted they provide documents to prove the appointment last year of Mashamba's son, Wisani Mashamba, was in order.
Wisani was appointed deputy manager for human resources in the department.
A committee appointed to look into the appointment, chaired by Kgoshi Setlamorago Thobejane, had said Wisani's appointment was irregular and that he did not have the required qualifications. The position required the applicant to possess a university degree or diploma.
Wisani only had a computer certificate from a Polokwane-based school identified as CTU.
Kekana said he was in the legislature to listen to the deliberations and "as a member of the legislature, had to participate as well".
"I was dismayed by the arrogance displayed by Mashamba, who is supposed to know the rules of the legislature," said Kekana.
Mashamba's spokesman, Adelle van der Linde, said Kekana was "not supposed to have been allowed to speak in the first place".
Kenny Mathivha, spokesman for the legislature, declined to comment at this stage.
Thobejane said the committee had resolved that Mashamba's behaviour was "unparliamentary" and warranted swift action.
"We view Mashamba's actions in a very serious light because, despite the fact that she disrupted the meeting, she was also bully. She insulted us and also wanted to assault members of the committee."