ANC welcomes removal of EFF member from parliament

The Office of ANC Chief Whip Stone Sizani on Friday welcomed the removal of a "rowdy and disruptive" EFF member from Parliament during a sitting on Thursday.

"The police unit that assisted with the removal of this wild and disorderly MP are part of the parliamentary security system, not the riot police as alleged in the media," African National Congress spokesman in Parliament Moloto Mothapo said in a statement.

"In terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, a person who causes disturbance in the House may be removed... on the instruction of the presiding officers or by a designated member of staff."

The drama unfolded after hours of opposition filibuster through the attempted introduction of motions, with the ANC retaliating by objecting.

The move appeared to be an effort to delay Parliament's adoption of a report exonerating President Jacob Zuma in the Nkandla saga

During proceedings, Economic Freedom Fighters MP Ngwanamakwetle Mashabela refused to leave the podium when she was ordered to do so by House chairman Cedric Frolick.

Mashabela had called Zuma a "thief" over the Grand Inga Hydro Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and refused to withdraw her remarks.

Mashabela would not be moved when Sergeant-at-Arms Regina Mohlomi tried to escort her from the podium.

The police arrived minutes later and tugged at Mashabela, who could be heard shouting: "I don't want to be touched."

They wore uniforms associated with the police's public order policing unit.

MPs from opposition benches expressed outrage and jumped to Mashabela's defence.

Mothapo said the EFF MP in question had clearly transgressed the rules of the Assembly when she repeatedly referred to Zuma as a "thief".

"Such type of language, which is at odds with the rules of civility and acceptable engagement in the House, is outrageous and does nothing to enhance parliamentary democracy and the decorum of the House," he said.

"The EFF MP refused to withdraw her un-parliamentary language when gently persuaded to do so by the sergeant-at-arms, and further defied an order to leave the House."

Mothapo also condemned the conduct of DA members, who he claimed "interfered with the lawful function of the police by physically attacking them".

"It is becoming clear that these parliamentary opposition parties are embarking on desperate and undemocratic tactics to undermine and weaken a democratically-elected parliamentary majority.

"What they have failed to achieve at the polls they are now bitterly trying to reclaim through underhand means in Parliament."

Mothapo also accused the media of approving of the actions of the EFF and DA.

"It is unfortunate that the gimmicks and delinquent conduct of [these] EFF MPs and others are shamelessly greeted with approval from certain sections of the media, instead of being shunned as an affront to the people's hard won constitutional democracy.

"Parliament must not be deterred in its endeavour to uphold and protect the integrity of this institution.... We are confident that at the end sanity will prevail."

On Thursday, opposition parties also shouted down National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete when she tried to prevent them from bringing dozens of motions.

Most of these were related to spending on so-called security upgrades at Zuma's homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, which Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found him to have unduly benefited from.