As usual, there was drama in Parliament as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) disrupted the proceedings at the State of the Nation Address as president Cyril Ramaphosa was about to the deliver the most important family meeting of the year at Cape Town City Hall.
DISRUPTION
The Red Berets delivered as they had promised not to allow Ramaphosa to address the nation amid the dark cloud hanging his head over the Phala Phala scandal. An irritated Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula, had to resort to security services to remove the EFF from the chambers as she claimed they were disrupting the proceedings.EFF leader, Julius Malema was the first to object to having President Cyril Ramaphosa address Parliament, arguing that he has no legitimacy to do so after taking the house to court over the Phala Phala report. The EFF had repeatedly vowed to disrupt president Ramaphosa's address.
The debate between Malema and Mapisa-Ngqakula went on until the ATM leader Vuyo Zungula joined the fray but was quickly kicked out,before the proceedings began.
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KICKED OUT
Shortly after the EFF membets were kicked out of the house, opposition party and Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen locked horns with Mapisa-Ngqakula on why armed police officers entered the House. The Speaker said there was a security threat to the President and that she had to act.A few EFF female members remained behind in their seats and raised posters that were written: "Corruption is too high, Unemployment rate is too high and Ramaphosa must step down." Maphisa Nqakula had to call female security members to remove them from the chambers and they successfully did so.
REDUCE LOAD SHEDDING
Delivering his State of the Nation, Ramaphosa said that his most immediate task is to reduce load-shedding and eventually end it. He declared a state of disaster over the power crisis with immediate effect. Ramaphosa further announced that he has resolved to appoint a Minister of Electricity in the presidency. "The new minister would oversee the energy plan put in place to address the ongoing load-shedding crisis." he said.
Ramaphosa is under tremendous pressure as the loadshedding is scaring off investment in the country as many companies are losing lot of money during the blackouts.Ramaphosa also counted challenges like crime, water crisis, education issues, GBV corruption and unemployment. "There are no easy solutions to these challenges, but with determination and working together, they can be conquered," he said.
CRIME
Ramaphosa didn't beat about the bush about crime. He said, "Violent crime takes a heavy toll on every South African. Communities across our country live in fear for the safety of their families. This situation cannot continue. We are strengthening the South African Police Service to prevent crime and improving the capacity of the National Prosecuting Authority and courts to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. This includes putting more police on the streets and setting up specialised teams that will focus on specific types of crime. Last year, we undertook to recruit 12,000 new police personnel."
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