A motion for a full parliamentary probe into the role of security services in the removal of Electronic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs from parliament on 12 February, and the jamming of the cellphone signal, was tabled in the national assembly on Tuesday.
DA MP David Maynier called for a multiparty ad hoc committee to be set up to probe the incidents.
Maynier also criticised state security minister David Mahlobo.
“The minister is implementing the standard operating procedure when it comes to dealing with scandals, which is the ‘rogue official defence’ where officials are blamed and made to walk the plank,” Maynier said.
He was referring to Mahlobo blaming human error for the device not being turned off ahead of President Jacob Zuma delivering his state of the nation address on 12 February.
“The real issue is that the state security agency should have played no role in the state of the nation address,” Maynier said.
Mahlobo did not respond during ministerial reply time.
Deputy justice minister John Jeffrey tried to respond, but was stopped after the Economic Freedom Fighters raised an objection.
The rules state that a deputy minister may only reply on behalf of the minister if he or she is absent from the house.
Justice minister Michael Masutha was seated in the house at the time.
House chair Mmatlala Boroto gave Jeffrey some leeway to respond, causing an outcry from MPs in opposition benches.
DA and EFF MPs insisted the rules be strictly applied, causing a tense exchange between Boroto and various MPs.
Boroto at one stage shouted: “I am still on the stage here. I am talking.”
She later stopped Jeffrey from replying when DA chief whip John Steenhuisen pointed out that Maynier’s statement was directed at Mahlobo and not Masutha. — Sapa
