Parliament boots out security heads

31 July 2015 - 02:09 By Babalo Ndenze and Jan-Jan Joubert

Parliament has suspended the head of its protection services, Zelda Holtzman, and her deputy, Motlatsi Mokgatla, with immediate effect. The use of the security services, such as the police, to forcibly remove dissenting MPs from parliament has frequently stoked the ire of the opposition.A further bone of contention is that protection services personnel have been used to chauffeur secretary-to-parliament Gengezi Mgidlana.It is understood that Holtzman and Mokgatla were escorted from the premises by a senior protection services official.Holtzman would not be drawn into commenting on the meeting with Mgidlana at which she was told of her suspension.She said: "I don't know what you are talking about. Luzuko Jacobs [parliament spokesman] deals with media."Parliament has called the suspensions "precautionary", adding that they "do not in any way constitute a judgment or penalty"."The suspensions have been implemented to enable investigation of alleged security breaches."Tensions are rising ahead of President Jacob Zuma's scheduled replies to questions in the National Assembly on Thursday.Of particular concern is how the EFF will behave on the occasion and how parliament should deal with MPs if they become unruly and refuse to comply with an order by the speaker to leave the chamber.Stricter rules on the removal of misbehaving MPs were passed yesterday afternoon. The EFF was the only opposition party to oppose the new rules.It was reported last month that Mgidlana has used parliamentary vehicles fitted with blue lights to transport himself and his family, apparently to the chagrin of protection services officials, including Holtzman...

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