EFF tries to interrupt SONA but Speaker cites rule book

Parliamentary speaker Speaker Baleka Mbete on Thursday evening spoke over opposition MPs preventing President Jacob Zuma from taking the floor to deliver the State of the Nation address.

She told Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Floyd Shivambu to take his seat as he rose to ask for “clarity on the rules that are applicable in this House”.

Mbete replied: “Please take your seat”.

EFF leader Julius Malema’s attempt to raise a point of order was met with Mbete saying: “Allow me to finish”.

“This sitting is meant specifically to afford the president an opportunity to deliver the state of the nation address. No business other than the address by the president is entertained‚” Mbete said.

 The party however demanded to know the rule on which she was acting.

Malema‚ clearly emotional shouted “we are governed by rules not by emotions“.

Mbete then quoted rule 14G and warned that anyone who did not comply‚ would be asked to withdraw from the chamber.

In the gallery‚ white-shirted security sat around the EFF supporters‚ while more lined up outside the door closest to where EFF members sat‚ just minutes before President Zuma was due to arrive.

Earlier‚ the EFF arrived in the house en masse singing and dancing. At one point‚ the group sang ” Imali yethu siyayifuna” which means “we want our money“.

A small group of the party’s supporters dressed in their red gear and berets in the public gallery stood up and joined in the action.

ANC members meanwhile clapped and chanted “ANC ANC” each time a procession entered the house‚ attempting to drown out the EFF’s singing but they only stopped to welcome the judiciary‚ which they applauded wildly.

They took their seats thereafter‚ their overalls a solid red slice through a sea of sequins and sparkles.

Next to them‚ the DA‚ many in more sombre shades of blue‚ grey and black‚ wore blue buttons saying “remember the 8.3 million jobless“.