You are not GOD! Shivambu tells Mbete

 

Sibusiso Banda

Economic Freedom Fighter’s Chief Whip Floyd Shivambu has told Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete that she is not “God!”

The comment came immediately after Mbete gave a stern warning to EFF MPs when she opened Tuesday's sitting by addressing the chaos that erupted almost two weeks ago when EFF MP's demanded that President Jacob Zuma pay back money for Nkandla. This led to cancellation of parliamentary proceedings for that day.

"As members will remember, the refusal of the members of the EFF to abide by the directions and rulings of the chair led to the early adjournment of proceedings and the question session was not completed."

"At the time, I opted for a lessor sanction which was to order the members to leave the House.

"I cannot but strongly condemn the disruption of the proceedings in the chamber," she said after confirming that she would not call on the House to suspend the EFF MPs from parliament.

Mbete said she will leave the matter to Parliament's powers and privileges committee to investigate further.

Despite being told they are off the hook for now, as soon as Mbete completed her statement, Shivambu rose to object, ignoring Mbete’s protestations that she had not intended to open the matter for debate.

“How is the committee going to investigate when you are making conclusive remarks in this house?” he asked.

Shivambu then after indicated to the house that in the past weeks EFF MPs had received letters of intent  suspension of which informed them that the matter is now under investigation.

“Honourable member I did not intend for the statement to be up for discussion,” Mbete responded

In the midst of her response, Shivambu shot back by questioning the speaker’s impartiality and the need to question Mbete’s rullings.

 "You are not God! You can’t say things and say it’s final. You’re a speaker who must be questioned when you're making wrong statements here."

Mbete asked him to desist, but he continued: "We don't agree with all those observations that you have made here. The majority are wrong."

Mbete’s change of mind of not to go ahead with the suspension came after the party threatened to launch a legal challenge in the high court after she requested individuals EFF MPs to give reasons why they should not be suspended.

EFF’s stance Nkandla questioning stems from Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's recommendation that President Jacob Zuma repay public funds spent on personal improvements at his private homestead.

The party has issues a statement rejecting the whole speech made by Mbete.