Parliament, Tuesday 11 February 2020 – The Presiding Officers of Parliament once again assure the public that Parliament has appropriate mechanisms to maintain decorum and dignity during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) or any programme of Parliament.
Existing joint rules of Parliament sufficiently protect sittings of the Houses and committees from disorder.
Open threats to disrupt the work of Parliament, including the propagation of conspiracy theories, are not in the interests of the public. They serve only as attempts to distract Parliament from its work.
Parties or Members of Parliament with evidence of any alleged plot to unlawfully use police in the Chamber during SONA are advised to submit it to the Presiding Officers.
South Africans face a range of socio-economic hardships. Parliament and public representatives have an obligation to ensure a conducive environment for the SONA – which outlines interventions to tackle these hardships. The SONA also gives Parliament an opportunity for effective oversight over the Executive to ensure quality delivery of services.
The Presiding Officers are looking forward to a successful State of the Nation Address and are pleased with the state of readiness for this important occasion, as they prepare to host more than 2 000 invited guests on Thursday.
We encourage members of the public to follow and participate in the SONA through a wide range of public platforms.
To download soundbite of the Spokesperson of Parliament Moloto Mothapo, please follow this link: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/6b921a91673396c8d22d950ec21a6c6120200211113749/847d3803ea1967e38662b6fefeca1cd120200211113749/930db6
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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