Cape Town – Members of Parliament who are ejected from the chamber for failing to respect the rulings of Presiding Officers will automatically face suspension from Parliament.
This is according to the new rules that were passed by the National Assembly during a joint sitting on Thursday.
The rules were introduced to root out disruptions during formal sittings that recently saw President Jacob Zuma’s questions and answers session being postponed.
The new regulations empower the presiding officer to authorise the removal of a member from Chamber if he or she refuses to leave upon being ordered to do
so.
The presiding officer may instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the member from the Chamber and the precincts of Parliament forthwith.
Should the Sergeant-at-Arms be unable in person to effect the removal of the member, the presiding officer may call upon the Parliamentary Protection Services to assist in removing the member from the Chamber and the precincts of Parliament.
“A member who is removed from the Chamber in terms of subrule (2), is thereby immediately automatically suspended for the period applicable as provided for in Rule 54, and may not enter the precincts for the duration of the suspension.
“If a member resists attempts to be removed from the Chamber in terms of subrules (1) or (2), the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Parliamentary Protection Services may use such force as may be reasonably necessary to overcome any resistance.
“No member may, in any manner whatsoever, physically intervene in, prevent, obstruct or hinder the removal of a member from the Chamber in terms of these Rules.
“Any member or members who contravene subrule (5) may, on the instruction of the presiding officer, also be summarily removed from the Chamber and the precincts of Parliament forthwith,” according to the new rules of Parliament. – SAnews.gov.za
