Chairperson, during recent public hearings in Parliament, the chairperson, hon Lumka Yengeni, allowed labour brokers to be referred to as slave traders and human traffickers. This created an atmosphere of intimidation and she did nothing to stop this unwarranted personal attacks. Anyone who dared to voice an opinion contrary to that of the ANC was shouted down and demonised.
This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and infringes on the rights of the public. The public is not safe in voicing their opinion. They are not safe, and they are not respected. The official who is supposed to create an environment conducive to the exchange of opinions during public hearings is doing exactly the opposite.
Chair, on a point of order: If one is going to attack a member of this House, one could do so by way of a substantive motion. One is not entitled to do so by way of a statement. I do believe that the hon member is out of order in terms of what he seeks to do. What I am saying is that if one is going to attack the integrity or credibility of any member of this House, one does so in terms of the Rules - by way of a substantive motion and not by way of a statement. Therefore, I believe that the statement is out of order. Thank you very much.
Order! Is that a point of order, Mr Ellis?
Yes, Mr Chairman. I want to respond to that point of order, unless you want to take it up yourself, Sir. [Interjections.]
Order! Hon member, I will rule on that point raised by the Deputy Minister later. Hon Ellis do you ... [Interjections.]
Mr Chairman, I want to say that I do not believe that the hon member of the DA ... [Interjections.]
Order! Hon Ellis, I have just ruled on the same point. Let's wait for the ruling first. [Interjections.] Hon member, I will look at the statement that you have made and then rule on it.
Mr Chairman, if you agree that in actual fact this is in order, will the member then be allowed to complete his statement because he hasn't finished yet?
Okay, I will allow him to finish his statement. [Applause.]
Chairperson, the public is not safe to voice their opinion. They are not safe, and they are not respected. The official who is supposed to create an environment conducive to the exchange of opinions during public hearings is doing exactly the opposite. In a case in Matatiele Municipality ... [Interjections.]
Chairperson, with due respect, if there is a point of order on which you are still to rule, you cannot then permit that which is in contention to proceed. I would think that what you would want to do would be if you find the member of the DA in favour at that point when you have ruled you will allow them to continue. But prior to your ruling, it seems peculiar that you allow the member to proceed.
Order! Hon members, I am advised that since I said I was going to rule on that point of order later, then we are not going to allow it to continue at this point until I rule on it. [Applause.]
Mr Chairman, how can you rule, Sir, unless you have heard the entire statement?
Order! No, hon Ellis. I have ruled now, please!
Chairperson, on a point of order: I just want to know whether it is in order that another DA member can take this spot because you have ruled that this statement is out of order. So, the DA doesn't have its opportunity ... [Interjections.]
Order! Hon member, you are still on the same point? Can you wait for my ruling on that point? [Interjections.]
Chair, but this is entirely a different point of order. I am just asking for your permission. Can another member of the DA make another declaration now because you have ruled this one out of order? [Interjections.]
Order! No, hon member. We have a list here, and we have specific parties which need to take those occasions.
Chairperson, may I respond to the request? Chairperson, if a member makes a statement, he or she takes the responsibility of ensuring that it complies with the Rules of the House. If at all the member has contravened or transgressed a Rule, then he or she cannot be compensated with extra time as a result of that transgression.
Chairperson, on a point of order: Are you chairing this meeting or is the hon Surty chairing it? [Interjections.]
Order! I don't think that is a fair comment to the Chair, hon Ellis.