'Listen, Mabena,' EFF leader Malema tells deputy speaker Tsenoli in heated parliament debate

25 June 2019 - 18:42 By THABO MOKONE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Julius Malema led an EFF walkout of parliament while public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan was about to begin his speech.
Julius Malema led an EFF walkout of parliament while public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan was about to begin his speech.
Image: Esa Alexander/Sunday Times

EFF MPs on Tuesday walked out of the National Assembly, saying they were not prepared to be addressed by a "constitutional delinquent" - referring to public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.

Just as Gordhan was about to begin his speech during the state of the national address debate, EFF leader Julius Malema stood on a point of order, objecting to the former finance minister speaking in the House.

"I don’t think it will be advisable to allow Mr Gordhan to speak here because the public protector has made findings against Mr Gordhan," said Malema.

PODCAST: Sunday Times Politics Weekly - Zille plays the racist, Zuma plays the victim and Ramaphosa fights to save face

For more episodes, click here.

Subscribe: iono.fm | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Pocket Casts | Player.fm

This was in reference to a report by Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, which found that Gordhan had acted improperly doing his time as finance minister in the payment of an early retirement benefit to former Sars deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay.

"The public protector has made findings against Mr Gordhan and you allow a constitutional delinquent to speak here," Malema said as he made his point to deputy speaker Lechesa Tsenoli.

Tsenoli, however, refused to budge.

"Honourable member, that's not a point of order; it’s a political statement," responded Tsenoli.

But Malema lost his cool, even labelling Tsenoli a "Mabena" in reference to a viral video where a soldier named Mabena is described as being one who always disappoints.

"But listen, Mabena, listen Mabena… I'm not done. You are doing the same mistake you did even with the previous parliament. You cannot show a middle finger to a chapter nine institution by allowing a constitutional delinquent to come and speak here," said Malema in his exchange with Tsenoli.

"That's a political statement and you are out of order. I warned you that I will switch off the mic. Take your seat," said Tsenoli.

"Okay, deputy speaker, we will wait outside and when the constitutional delinquent finishes we'll come back," said Malema.

ANC deputy chief whip Doris Dlakude said they would not allow for Gordhan to be "embarrassed".

"The point of order is that the minister has took the report for review, it's his right to do so," said Dlakude.

Members of parliament debated President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent state of the nation address (Sona) on Tuesday June 25 2019. Members of the major opposition parties were quick to criticise the president. Here are three of the punchiest moments from the debate.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now