Death threats rock parliament ahead of Phala Phala vote

The allegations of death threats directed at Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) leader Mzwanele Nyhontso and United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa rocked parliament on Tuesday when the opposition party failed to convince parliament’s speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to conduct a secret ballot on Section 89 Phala Phala report.

This follows text messages which were sent to Nyhontso and Holomisa, who are representing their parties in parliament.

Death threats

Nyhontso, a sole PAC member of the parliament, opened a case at Goodwood police station in Cape Town on Tuesday before the parliament session. Mapisa-Nqakula said the case was now the subject of police investigations and not subject to discussion by parliament.

“We are warning you, Holomisa and Nyhontso. Should you back the African Transformation Movement (ATM) vote or motion tomorrow, we will deal with you. Your days of living are numbered,” read the message.

Holomisa was not moved. He said that he has been intimidated before during the former Transkei period, when he was the prime minister.

“This is a political thuggery of some sort. I am used to it from when I was the prime minister in the former Transkei. I am not scared, they can go jump in the lake. I’ve fought against corruption in the former Transkei and I will continue doing that,” he said.

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Phala Phala vote

Holomisa said he received the anonymous death threat on his phone on the night before the Section 89 report discussion.

Holomisa maintained his political stance, making submissions in favour of the adoption of the expert independent panel report.

Economic Freedom Fighters chair and MP Veronica Mente said that if anybody was killed, the speaker would be held liable.

“People are going to die and their blood will be in your hands,” Mente said.

She was referring to the threats which were received by Nyhontso and Holomisa on the eve of the parliament session which discussed and voted on the Section 89 report.

ALSO READ: ‘Their blood will be in your hands’ – Mente tells Mapisa-Nqakula in debate over secret ballot

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said in parliament that the speaker could have reconsidered her decision on how the vote would be conducted.

“In all your correspondence, you have never dealt with sentiments made by [ANC national chair Gwede] Mantashe. Last night, members of parliament received death threats, they were told that the days of living were numbered,” he said.

Zungula was referring to the statement in which Mantashe instructed all ANC MPs to toe the party line and vote against the adoption of the report.