Politics just got dirtier

Members of parliament now have the option of buying sex toys, pornographic DVDs and all manner of lubrication should they seek relief from the rough and tumble pressures of politics.

Almost a decade after Adult World was forced to close its shop in front of the gates of parliament in Plein Street, Cape Town, it is being, um, re-erected.

And, it seems, politicians no longer have the appetite to wage another battle against smut.

The Adult World branding went up without any challenge yesterday.

Former ANC MP Patrick Chauke, who was the chairman of the home affairs committee, led the campaign to close down the previous Adult World store in 2004 on the grounds that it harmed the image of the national legislature and was not properly licensed.

But Moloto Mothapo, the ANC caucus spokesman, yesterday said there was not much politicians could do to scupper the store's planned opening next week.

"We are tenants in parliament. I'm not aware of any legislation barring such businesses [from] operating outside of parliament," said Mothapo.

But Mothapo said it was a serious "cause for concern" that a sex shop would appear in front of parliament.

"It's a people's institution whose doors are always open to religious people and other sectors [of society]," said Mothapo.

He said schoolchildren who visited parliament as part of their extramural excursions would be exposed to the sex shop.

Parliament's spokesman, Luzuko Jacobs, said it would seek legal advice on whether the location of the store violated the City of Cape Town's zoning regulations.

Benedicta van Minnen, a mayoral committee member for health in the City of Cape Town, said records indicated that Adult World was still not properly licensed.

She said for an adult store to be opened, the Film and Publication Board had to give permission and the city had to grant an operating licence.

"An inspection will be carried out and the necessary action, as permitted in terms of the Businesses Act, will be taken," said Van Minnen.

Adult World CEO Francois Joubert and company owner Arthur Calamaris had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to print.