Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane, has lashed out at the police for their apparent in-action in the Bhisho Legislature where EFF members and supports ran amock on Tuesday.
Chaos erupted during debate on the State Of The Province Address when Speaker, Helen Sauls-August attempted to enforce rules related to the dress-code in the Legislature.
EFF MPL's, wearing their trademark red overalls, resisted attempts to eject them from the Raymond Mhlaba Chamber, clashing with security personnel while rowdy supporters threw objects from the public gallery.
In a strongly-worded statement, Premier Mabuyane condemned the EFF's actions, but also blamed the SAPS for not preventing the violence.
"The failure by the SAPS to respond swiftly to the violence occurring inside a national key point resulted into the attack of the workers of the Legislature and putting lives of other members of the legislature at risk," he said.
He said he expressed his "disappointment and displeasure" with the leadership of the SAPS in the Eastern Cape.
"All those that were involved in this violent act, including the MPLs representing the EFF, must be arrested and be charged for their crime," Mabuyane said.
Sauls-August said, "hooliganism will not be allowed in the Eastern Cape Legislature Chamber".
"We have rules and we have procedures and we expect that all Honourable Members must comply with those rules and responsibility," she said.
In a statement on Facebook, the EFF in the Eastern Cape said the "continued forced removal of EFF members from the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature" was a violation of its right to be represented in Legislatures across the country.
(Pic: Supplied)
