MBOMBELA – The no-nonsense speaker, Ms Thandi Shongwe has vowed to maintain order in the provincial legislature, which has seen its fair share of unruly behaviour by “honourable members” in recent days.
She said she would do whatever it takes to instil discipline and maintain the dignity the legislature should always aspire to keep.
“I know people may think I am harsh to other honourable members of the house, but I am not. All I am trying to do there is to simply maintain order and ensure that the house’s dignity is always maintained.
“One way or another, I will keep order in legislature and have it given the respect it deserves,” said Shongwe.
She was responding to accusations that she was taking sides and was sometimes hard on members of the opposition parties, particularly, the DA and the EFF.
During last week’s State of the Province Address’ debate, Shongwe had the DA leader, Mr Anthony Benadie, thrown out of the house after alleged unruly encounters.
During the last sitting on Friday last week, Benadie received two warnings from her.
“Legislature has simple rules that must be followed at all times and all the members in the house are familiar with those rules and guidelines. So, you see, some of these members are deliberately misbehaving just to disrupt the smooth running and the orders of the house.”
She advised all members of the different political parties in legislature that they should prioritise the people who put them there.
“The masses out there have sent all of us here, simply to represent them and debate issues of service delivery for their respective communities,” she pointed out.
The arrival of the Red Berets in overalls in legislature only signalled that whoever was going to be elected speaker, would have a busy time.
