In a statement, SACBC spokesperson Archbishop William Slattery said, “To witness the disruption of our chief democratic institution, followed by the needlessly aggressive actions of the security forces called in to remove Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members of parliament leaves us deeply perturbed. We call on the leaders of all parties represented in Parliament, together with the presiding officers, to commit themselves to uphold and respect the dignity of the institution.”
He also stated that while it was the right and duty of political parties to hold the executive to account, his conference questioned whether it was appropriate for the EFF to use Sona for that purpose. However, he said, “At the same time, we believe that the presiding officers acted too quickly in calling in security forces. If those forces were indeed members of the South African Police Service, then what the nation saw was a serious violation of the sanctity and autonomy of Parliament. The fact that this was authorised by the presiding officers only makes it worse.”
He also said the SACBC strongly condemned the use of a jamming device to block cellphone signals in the house. Slattery emphasised that it was the fundamental right of every South African to know what was happening in Parliament, and any attempt to deny citizens that right violates the Constitution and demeans Parliament. “We note that the presiding officers were unaware of the presence of such a device and we trust that they will conduct an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation into this matter,” he said.
Slattery added that as long as Zuma declined to answer fully and openly the many questions that remain about the expenditure of public money on Nkandla, such disturbances were likely to be repeated. He added that the president has a duty to Parliament and to the nation to put this matter to rest by providing adequate answers. “The unfortunate scenes on the floor of the house overshadowed the speech itself and detracted attention from the programme set out by the president. This was in itself a disservice to democracy and to the citizens of South Africa,” Slattery concluded.
The bishops’ conference is comprised of the Catholic bishops of Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland.
