UNHAPPY parliamentary staff vented their anger at being locked out of their offices at lunchtime as part of preparations for the State of the Nation Address.
Several frustrated parliamentary staff argued with security guards stationed along the parliamentary precinct to keep out those who were not accredited to attend the opening of Parliament.
A statement issued yesterday by Parliament warned that all staff members who were not delegated duties for the opening of Parliament would have to vacate the legislature by lunch time.
A senior manager, whose unit was not involved in any of the planning, fumed when he realised he could not continue working in his office.
Guards from Parliament's protection services barred him from entering the premises without a proper accreditation tag.
Another female employee dangled her parliamentary access card and office keys to indicate to police officers manning the entry gate that she needed to quickly pick up something from her office.
But the officers did not budge, informing her that she would have to call a colleague inside the building to bring her whatever she required from the office.
This year security was extra tight, with hundreds of policemen and task force members stationed around Parliament to monitor the situation.
Several streets adjoining Parliament were closed to traffic and parameters set up along Plein, Roeland, Spin and Adderley streets to control movement.
Red carpet rolled out
By late afternoon, MPs and invited guests were steadily streaming into Parliament, striding along the red carpet in their designer outfits.
The red carpet was rolled out after 3pm, with President Jacob Zuma walking in just before his 7pm address.
Guests who have been invited to the joint sitting of Parliament included all provincial premiers and some MECs, members of the judiciary, including the chief justice, the mayor of Cape Town, prominent businessmen and other celebrities.
Zuma's procession started from the heart of Cape Town at Adderley Street and proceeded up Parliament Street into the precinct.
The president was received by an imbongi at the gate of Parliament and another at the entrance to the National Assembly chamber, and a national salute by the Ceremonial Guard of the SANDF and a military band, followed by a fly-past by the South African Air Force and a 21-gun salute.
The procession included civilian participation in the walk by Zuma, accompanied by Parliament's presiding officers and the secretary to Parliament, from the Slave Lodge to the saluting podium in front of the National Assembly building.
Security guards bar angry Parly staff from building
UNHAPPY parliamentary staff vented their anger at being locked out of their offices at lunchtime as part of preparations for the State of the Nation Address.
Several frustrated parliamentary staff argued with security guards stationed along the parliamentary precinct to keep out those who were not accredited to attend the opening of Parliament.
A statement issued yesterday by Parliament warned that all staff members who were not delegated duties for the opening of Parliament would have to vacate the legislature by lunch time.
A senior manager, whose unit was not involved in any of the planning, fumed when he realised he could not continue working in his office.
Guards from Parliament's protection services barred him from entering the premises without a proper accreditation tag.
Another female employee dangled her parliamentary access card and office keys to indicate to police officers manning the entry gate that she needed to quickly pick up something from her office.
But the officers did not budge, informing her that she would have to call a colleague inside the building to bring her whatever she required from the office.
This year security was extra tight, with hundreds of policemen and task force members stationed around Parliament to monitor the situation.
Several streets adjoining Parliament were closed to traffic and parameters set up along Plein, Roeland, Spin and Adderley streets to control movement.
Red carpet rolled out
By late afternoon, MPs and invited guests were steadily streaming into Parliament, striding along the red carpet in their designer outfits.
The red carpet was rolled out after 3pm, with President Jacob Zuma walking in just before his 7pm address.
Guests who have been invited to the joint sitting of Parliament included all provincial premiers and some MECs, members of the judiciary, including the chief justice, the mayor of Cape Town, prominent businessmen and other celebrities.
Zuma's procession started from the heart of Cape Town at Adderley Street and proceeded up Parliament Street into the precinct.
The president was received by an imbongi at the gate of Parliament and another at the entrance to the National Assembly chamber, and a national salute by the Ceremonial Guard of the SANDF and a military band, followed by a fly-past by the South African Air Force and a 21-gun salute.
The procession included civilian participation in the walk by Zuma, accompanied by Parliament's presiding officers and the secretary to Parliament, from the Slave Lodge to the saluting podium in front of the National Assembly building.
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