Parliamentary smackdown

Fireworks are expected in parliament today when parties debate the presidential homestead at Nkandla, and, separately, the disruptive behaviour of the EFF during presidential question time.

The senior ANC MP who takes the chair for the debates is likely to struggle to keep control of a National Assembly in which enmity has reached new levels.

Yesterday, seven opposition parties used very strong language to voice their united opposition to the way in which the ANC majority in parliament had handled the Nkandla matter, especially the way it had treated the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela as mere recommendations.

They are also incensed at the ANC's use of its majority to stop the committee from calling witnesses to speak for themselves, and for not calling Madonsela and President Jacob Zuma.

At a press conference yesterday, the DA, EFF, ACDP, UDM, Freedom Front Plus, COPE and Agang pledged to stand together against the ANC today on the Nkandla issue.

They said they would take the matter to the highest court in the land, if necessary, to combat what they see as the undermining of the constitution to protect the president.

The IFP is expected to join them this afternoon if its caucus agrees to this.

DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said yesterday the R246-million spent on Zuma's home was "obscene", while the normally timid Agang MP Andries Tlouamma said the Zuma presidency was an embarrassment to South African democracy.

EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu predicted that today the ANC "will merely be an unthinking mass choir".

The EFF will try to stop its behaviour in parliament from being debated today.

MP Godrich Gardee confirmed last night that the party was to approach the Cape High Court to grant an interdict against the discussion in the National Assembly.