Oh, what a wonderful year in parly ...

28 November 2014 - 02:00 By Shaun Smillie
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Parliament has never had so much prime time TV coverage. Gone are the days of dry debate, and everyone simply calling each other "honourable".

The National Assembly has become a rowdy riotous place, particularly with the introduction of the new kids on the block the Economic Freedom Fighters, and some MPs have chosen to speak with their middle fingers rather than their tongues.

EFF Chief Whip Floyd Shivambu started the trend when he flipped the bird at Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa when Speaker Baleka Mbete ordered Shivambu to leave the proceedings.

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu replicated Shivambu's gesture at a later occasion.

This year saw police enter the National Assembly for the first time since Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd was assassinated in 1966. At the centre of the discontent is President Jacob Zuma's refusal to attend parliament and answer questions from the opposition.

But while ANC cabinet ministers and EFF members traded zap signs, DA MP David Maynier stretched his arm above his head and splayed his fingers like a zombie in a B-grade movie.

His gesture was aimed at "Showerhead".

The only problem was that President Zuma wasn't there to see it.

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