Parliament shuts door

25 November 2015 - 02:25 By Jan-Jan Joubert, Babalo Ndenze and Bianca Capazorio

Police have been given express authority to draw a ring of steel around parliament after striking Nehawu members caused suspension of its business yesterday. Political leaders drew a line in the sand last night. "This far and no further" a stern-faced Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the National Assembly, told the parliamentary press corps.She and National Council of Provinces chair Thandi Modise were clear that they would not budge on the union's demands for higher pay because, they said, parliament's budget did not allow for it.They gave the assurance that the budgets needed for services to be rendered and grants to be paid would be passed on time.Negotiations between the top leaderships of the ANC-controlled national legislature and the ANC-aligned union continued deep into the night.Today, Nehawu workers will be allowed to enter the parliamentary precinct only to work. They will not be allowed to protest inside the precinct. If they try to do so, they will be met by the full might of the security forces.The National Assembly, which could not meet at all yesterday because of disruptions, is scheduled to sit from 10am until late tonight to pass a raft of budget-related and other bills, and perform other functions such as appoint a new member to the magistrates' commission.Yesterday afternoon, armed police stood guard outside the National Council of Provinces to prevent any effort to stop the passing of the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill.Nehawu members took over the National Assembly chamber from 8am to 3pm yesterday, singing, chanting and blowing vuvuzelas, making it impossible for MPs to debate the adjustments to the national budget.Union members are unhappy about pay and the securing of parliament by the state security agency.Nehawu branch chairman S'thembiso Tembe said MPs "must be prepared to assist us".He said the union was ready for "anything".DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said failure to pass the budget this week would have "grave implications" for the Treasury as the budget process had already been left too late.EFF deputy secretary-general Hlengiwe Hlope said the party supported the workers' strike."The budget process will be delayed, but it's high time parliament listens to its workers. They must sit down and be genuine with them," she said.Earlier yesterday, a sitting of the portfolio committee on public works was disrupted by Nehawu supporters dancing on tables and singing, preventing debate about the expropriation bill. The committee moved to a secure venue...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.