Parliament – The showdown between Speaker Baleka Mbete and the EFF is on the cards with the speaker not yet bowing to pressure from the EFF’s second letter for the State of the Nation Address to be turned into a debate on the legitimacy of President Jacob Zuma.
EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu said they will not allow Zuma to speak unless this matter was addressed.
He said there must be a debate on the legitimacy of Zuma and Parliament itself because of the findings of the Constitutional Court.
Shivambu said when Zuma begins speaking they will raise this matter with Mbete.
However, he insisted this will be done within the rules of Parliament.
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Mbete had indicated SONA is a matter that was discussed with all parties, and there was only one item on the agenda on Thursday.
She said Parliament cannot discuss other items except the SONA
She was supported by National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise, who said there was only one item on the agenda of Parliament on Thursday.
Modise said on Wednesday the role of Zuma must be understood in the SONA.
The president was giving an account of his government to the nation.
“Let me emphasise it is his agenda. We agree there is no other item on the agenda,” she said.
Parliament’s business cannot be distracted by issues raised by the opposition.