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South Africa: Rules changed to stop thuggery in parliament

SOUTH AFRICA’S communists joined the ruling ANC in welcoming new rules to prevent thuggish disruptions in parliament.

Under the amended rules the sergeant-at-arms of the national assembly can be called on to remove any member who refuses a reasonable request from the speaker to leave, and use necessary force if they resist. Any member who intervenes to hinder the sergeant-at-arms will also be removed from the chamber.

The amendment was supported by all parties except former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, whose assembly members have repeatedly disrupted proceedings.

 South African Communist Party spokesman Alex Mashilo hailed the new rules, saying: “Our country and democracy can no longer afford to be held at ransom by the EFF hooligans.”

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