Central SA
#NWSopa: Opposition accuses speaker of power abuse─── 11:49 Fri, 21 Feb 2020
The opposition parties in the North West Legislature have lashed out at the speaker accusing her of abusing her powers.
EFF and DA Members of the North West Provincial Legislature (MPLs) say Sussana Dantjie does not possess any power as the speaker to deny any member of the Legislature the right to rise on a point of order.
These two parties raised a point of order with the speaker, that Premier Job Mokgoro has no mandate to deliver the State of the Province Address (Sopa) since his office and the province is currently under administration.
The DA Caucus chief whip, Freddy Sonakile, says what Mokgoro should have done instead was to write to the speaker and request the Sopa through her office.
The EFF provincial secretary, Papikie Babuile, seemingly shared the same sentiments, questioning the premier Job Mokgoro’s executive powers to deliver the Sopa while his office is under administration. He has, however, accused the sergeant-at-arms with violence after he was kicked out and all EFF members followed in protest. The provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe, remained but was soon carried out too.
Soon after the EFF walked out, members of the Democratic Alliance followed. In a response to the allegations by both parties, Dantjie said since the inception of the sixth administration, the Legislature has been holding the same executive and premier Mokgoro accountable.
OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane, Olebogeng Motse and Olefile Vilakazi
NW Premier, Job Mokgoro standing alongside Speaker of the Provincial Legislature Susan Dantjie during the parade ahead of the #NWSopa pic.twitter.com/9TuLaUtMV0
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) February 21, 2020
Before Mokgoro can take to the podium, the DA raises a point of order, questioning the NW Premier's fitness to deliver #NWSopa by virtue of the office of the premier being under administration. The DA argues this effectively strips Mokgoro of his executive powers. https://t.co/PRhSBJbxdZ
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) February 21, 2020
After EFF Provincial Chairperson, Shakes Botswe is thrown out of the house by five security personnel, the DA MPLs later decide to boycott #NWSopa proceedings. https://t.co/iUfXtMpDwY
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) February 21, 2020
OFM News’ Olefile Vilakazi reports the DA Caucus leader in the NW, Winston Rabotapi say they are surprised as the DA, because of the manner in which Speaker Susan Danjie handled the situation inside the chamber. #NWSopa pic.twitter.com/Y0jKGwKSlu
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) February 21, 2020
Video by OFM Correspondent in Mahikeng: Olefile Vilakazi #NWSopa pic.twitter.com/5merX2If33
— OFM News (@OFMNews9497) February 21, 2020
