Parliament a ‘house of shame’‚ says COPE

Congress of the People (COPE) has referred to Parliament as a “house of shame”‚ saying it experienced its darkest moment on Tuesday when MPs and security personnel exchanged blows in full view of the nation and the world.

The party said it was not surprised at how completely the National Assembly had degenerated into a battlefield where MPs exchanged blows with security officials and disorder prevailed.

“It is a national disgrace‚” said COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem.

“After 1994 the world was amazed to see our parliament burst into song that shook its very rafters when Nelson Mandela entered it. After all the bitter years of oppression and contestation‚ South Africa had emerged as a miracle nation and a role model to the world. “Today‚ sadly‚ parliament has just experienced its darkest moment: MPs and security personnel exchanged blows in full view of the nation and the world‚” Bloem said. He said the reason was clear.

“The ANC is wrong in responding to the ConCourt decision in such an underwhelming and feint manner. Its attempt to push ahead as though the judgment was only a little slap on the wrist is dragging the whole nation into a moral and legal quagmire. Sane voices have spoken out but the ANC closed ranks and continues to show the middle finger to the judgment and everyone else‚” Bloem added. He said COPE’s response had been to withdraw its participation in parliamentary matters while searching for a moral and legal way forward.

“The EFF chose a different approach in opposing the ANC and Mr Zuma. The remaining opposition parties have chosen their own way of responding to the crisis. We feel sorry for them as we do for the ruling party. They are trying to make something that is broken work without substantially fixing it or replacing it. “There are only losers all round while this impasse continues. Soon South Africa will be engulfed in pitched battles and worse inside and outside of the House that is not so honourable anymore‚” Bloem cautioned.