Sisulu whips out her middle finger in Parliament

19 November 2014 - 21:10
By Sapa

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli again warned MPs to desist from making hand gestures, after Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was caught gesturing with her middle finger on Wednesday.

Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier was moving a motion, when several African National Congress MPs started making gestures with their hands and bodies.

DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen rose on a point of order, telling the speaker Sisulu had "flipped a Floyd".

This was in apparent reference to the September sitting of the House in which Economic Freedom Fighters Chief Whip Floyd Shivambu did the same at Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

"It's unparliamentary. She must withdraw," Steenhuisen said.

Sisulu then stood, admitting she had used the gesture.

"I have seen them [opposition party members] using the middle finger. I am just following them," said Sisulu.

Tsenoli said he did not see Sisulu do this, but warned: "Honourable members can we be careful when using gestures."

Earlier this month, Shivambu unconditionally apologised for his actions.

On September 17, he used the gesture at Ramaphosa shortly after being booted from the House for calling the deputy president a "murderer".