The second ruling is directed to hon Harris. Hon member, I would like to make a ruling on a point of order raised by you during our plenary on Wednesday, 5 May 2010. The hon member has raised a point of order with regard to the statement made by hon Ntwanambi, when she said that the services had been cut off, on the grounds that such a statement is in violation of Rule 46 of the Council Rules. Rule 46 provides that no member may deliberately make a statement in the Council which the member knows is false.
The question that I have to consider is whether the statement made by hon Ntwanambi was false and, if so, whether such a statement was deliberately made, because as presiding officers we are not always privy to the statements that members make in the House. However, on this matter it was reported in the media that certain services were cut off in some areas in the Western Cape.
I therefore rule that it cannot be said that the statement is false. Thank you, members.