BY MR. ALFRED MPONTSHANE MP
DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP

Madame Speaker,

The IFP has never adopted a "holier than thou" attitude, especially when it comes to the misfortunes of others. At the time of the dismissal of the then Deputy President, Mr Jacob Zuma, when opposition parties gloated, the IFP President, Dr M G Buthelezi MP summed up the whole saga in the Zulu aphorism and said:

"Inxeba lendoda alihlekwa" literally meaning: Don't laugh at another man's wound.

Our warning to the DA is: Don't laugh at another man's wound.

However, politics is about perceptions. The Speaker's conduct sent differing and conflicting messages to the different segments of our society, including Members of her own party.

I would like to remind Honourable Members of what the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament recently told Members of our Parliament when he visited here.

The Canadian Speaker made it abundantly clear that he does not attend political gatherings or events of any nature whatsoever, precisely because he does not want to expose himself to accusations of political bias or indeed party affiliation. In addition, by purposely not attending such occasions, the Canadian Speaker avoids creating any negative perceptions about the role of the Speaker and the Canadian Parliament.

Madame Speaker,

The IFP therefore urges the Speaker to apply the utmost care and discretion to decisions that may create negative perceptions about this Parliament and expose the Speaker to any number of accusations whether accurate or not.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CON TACT:
Mr. Alfred Mpontshane MP: 083 441 6201
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848