Thirty-six members of the KZN Legislature have been suspended without pay following violent and disorderly scenes last month.

The Witness reports that Speaker Nontembeko Boyce confirmed that 35 members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and one EFF MPL were sanctioned for gross disorderly, violent and unlawful conduct during the sitting last Monday.

Chaos after failed no-confidence motion

The chaos erupted in the aftermath of a failed motion of no confidence against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, with opposition members reacting angrily to the outcome of the vote.

5-day suspension without pay

Acting in terms of Rule 63(1) of the Legislature’s Standing Rules, Boyce imposed a sanction of five sitting days without remuneration, from January 12 to 17, in line with Rule 66.

‘Serious attack on parliamentary democracy’

Boyce said the conduct of the affected members amounted to a serious attack on parliamentary democracy, the rule of law and the authority of the presiding officer.

“The legislature stands opposed to violence, intimidation and the deliberate disruption of proceedings,” she said, adding that decisive action was necessary to protect the authority and dignity of the house.

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