Monday, 7 August 2017 – Parliament has no extraordinary security measures planned for the National Assembly’s debate tomorrow on the Motion of No Confidence in the President of the Republic of South Africa.

The City Press reported yesterday that Parliamentary Protection Services employees held separate meetings on Saturday and that representatives of the State Security Agency, the SA Police Service and the Presidential Protection Unit were part of one of those meetings. This is untrue and it is regrettable that Parliament was not given an opportunity to provide clarity and comment on these claims, which the newspaper said it had obtained from several unnamed sources.

The City Press reported similar claims earlier last week. On that occasion, Parliament was approached for comment and was able to clarify to the City Press that the meeting referred to had been merely one of a series of joint coordination meetings to prepare for the 2018 State of the Nation Address. Arrangements for the State of the Nation Address always start well in advance of this signature event in the country’s political calendar.

Parliament wishes to reiterate that no extraordinary security measures have been planned for Tuesday, when the National Assembly is scheduled to consider the Motion of Confidence in President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma. Procedures usually in operation, for entry of media and the public to the Parliamentary precinct and the National Assembly Chamber, will be in operation tomorrow.

Management of marches to Parliament and areas immediately outside the Parliamentary precinct is the prerogative of the City of Cape Town.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo