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Parliament, Friday, 05 August 2022 – The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has received a report on an independent investigation by Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere into allegations of gender-based violence (GBV) and/or sexual harassment during the removal of Members of the EFF by members of the Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS) during the Presidency Budget Vote debate in June.

The Speaker had appointed Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere to investigate allegations of GBV or sexual harassment madeby EFF Chief Whip, Mr Floyd Shivambu, against the National Assembly Speaker and some members of the Parliamentary Protection Services, and counter allegations made by PPS personnel against the EFF Members of Parliament (MPs).

In her report, Adv Baloyi-Mere ruled out GBV and sexual harassment in the scuffles between MPs and the PPS officials during the forceful removal of the disruptive Members from the House on 9 and 10 June 2022.

However, the report found that the removal of the disruptive Members by PPS was characterised by violence on both sides.

The MPs refused to comply with the instructions of the Speaker or ignored the Speaker when it was clear from the rules of the National Assembly that when Members arerequested to leave the Chamber they should do so consistent with the conduct expected of them as per their titles of ‘honourable Members’.

The report also found that the Speaker endeavoured to comply with each and every rule before she could call forMembers to be removed out of the Chamber.

The investigation indicates that Members' attitude to the Rules, not the Rules, seemed to be a problem. Adv Baloyi-Mere recommended that the Speaker holds a meeting with all the Chief Whips to ensure that all public representativescomply with, and abides by the Rules of Parliament.

The report also recommended that during any given sitting of Parliament, there should be adequate number of female PPS personnel present, even though they might be other committees that conduct oversight work outside Parliament also requiring their services. This is based on the investigator's observation that, during the scuffle, there was no adequate capacity from the female component of thePPS members to effectively handle the removal of EFF female MPs. The investigator observed that female PPS members were clearly overpowered by female members of the EFF.

Furthermore, the report recommended that MPs accord respect to the PPS personnel. This is in light of the serous claims made during the investigation, which were also corroborated by the video footage, relating to abuse, threats and attacks PPS members often suffer from MPs. The independent investigator lamented the disgraceful conduct by some Members of undermining the authority of the PPS personnel and treating them with disrespect and disdain as shown in some of the video footage.

Although the investigation ruled out GBV and sexual harassment, the Speaker condemns any act of violence and assault that occurred during the scuffle. She also remains distressed by the unfortunate disruptive occurrences in the Chamber on both days, as these do not auger well for the image, decorum and prestige of Parliament in the eyes of the public.

The Speaker, who has thanked Adv Baloyi-Mere for the commendable work done in swiftly probing the matter, has already began a process of implementing the recommendations in the report.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: MOLOTO MOTHAPO