The live broadcast across channels of Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating endemic police corruption offers an opportunity for MPs to put on display for the electorate how and why they represent us. Last week, at this multiparty police committee of the 7th Government of National Unity (GNU) Parliament of South Africa, it was the turn of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Democratic Alliance (DA) MPs Leigh-Ann Mathys and advocate Glynnis Breytenbach to howl at each other across the void. Durban-born, Australia-educated Mathys, a founder member of the EFF and now veteran parliamentarian, like Breytenbach, gave as good as she got, and got as good as she gave in return.
It was like verbal ping pong, people. It all began early on Monday morning last week, just as members were settling into their seats, when Mathys spoke up, offering an apology for Julius Malema, who was absent. She informed the sanguine committee chair, Soviet Lekganyane, that Malema was preparing for hisappearance at the East London Magistrates’ Courtthat Friday and apologised for his lack of attendance.
Mathys was on a roll; you could tell by her pitch as she went on to speak of Malema’s “weaponised prosecution”. Breytenbach, until then seated quietly behind Mathys, called out instinctively, “That’s not true, you are using this platform for incorrect purposes.” “You think I need your permission?” Breytenbach said in a low voice. The Limpopo-born Lekyanyane looked on, clearly wondering how to intervene before matters escalated further.
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His plea of “honourable members, honourable members!” was drowned out when Mathys warned Breytenbach, “When you comment, don’t think we will not respond. We are not afraid of this white supremacy!”
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