Hon members, before we proceed with the business of the day, I would want to make these rulings. During the debate on the Lonmin tragedy on Tuesday, 21 August 2012, the hon Minister of Mineral Resources made the following statement:
I must also indicate, Mr Lekota, that this government never calls soldiers to attack communities. During your era as Minister of Defence, in Khutsong, you called soldiers to attack. You are the one who is more brutal than the ANC. After the hon Lekota had denied the allegation, the hon Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs rose and said the following:
Hon Deputy Speaker, I would just like to enlighten the House. I am a living witness to the events to which the hon Ministers have referred. Former Minister Lekota did that; I was there with him.
The hon Kilian, on a point of order, asked the presiding officer to study the Hansard and rule whether the statement by the Minister of Mineral Resources was out of order. Having studied the Hansard, I wish to rule as follows. In terms of the Rules, the Chair is duty-bound to adjudicate on statements or remarks that reflect on the character, integrity and honour of members.
The hon Minister's statement clearly offends hon Lekota's character, integrity and honour, by accusing him of calling soldiers to attack and being brutal. In both instances, the statement ascribes characteristics and values to Mr Lekota that cannot be sustained in the absence of a substantive motion. The statement is thus out of order.
I am doing this, hon members, knowing, as I have been advised, that the Minister is not in the House. I feel, however, that the business of the House has to proceed. As soon as the Minister is in the House and I am in the Chair, I will ask her to withdraw these remarks. I have tried to get the Minister here, but obviously she is not. I had stressed that this ruling had to be done today.
Furthermore ... [Interjections.] ... can you just wait for me? Thank you very much. Hon Minister Molewa's remarks are also out of order, as she essentially repeated the affront to hon Lekota's character, dignity and honour by claiming to be a witness to hon Lekota calling soldiers to attack and of being brutal. [Interjections.] Even though she didn't say that verbatim, the statement she was supporting meant that. I am also advised that the Minister is not present in the House. In fact, I received an apology as I was coming here. I therefore rule that the Minister must also withdraw her remarks. As soon as she is in the House and I am in the Chair, I will ask her to withdraw those remarks.
Those were the two rulings that stood over from 20 September.