[imagesource: YouTube / SABC News]

After the events of Monday’s Pan-African Parliament (PAP) sitting, where Senegalese politician Djibril War was seen kicking out at ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodiena, you’d have been a fool to bet against yesterday devolving into chaos.

Monday’s tension stemmed from disputes around electing the next PAP president, with southern African delegates saying a rotation system should be used, with each of the five regions given a chance to lead.

Julius Malema was actually a voice of reason on Monday, having threatened to kill a fellow member last Thursday, but he was front and centre yesterday as the wheels once again came off.

News24 reports:

Within minutes of starting the session meant to elect a new president, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) erupted into more chaos on Tuesday. At the centre of it was a letter believed to be sent from the African Union to the PAP over reforming the contesting voting procedure.

…Malema tried to rise on a point of order, but when [committee chairperson Jaynet] Kabila refused to open the floor to debate, mayhem ensued.

Here’s the moment Malema left his seat and confronted Kabila:

The EFF later shared this footage on Twitter:

[In Case You Missed It 🎥]: A member of the Pan African Parliament assaulted our CIC @Julius_S_Malema in the house today.

But we don’t kick women in Southern Africa even under deliberate provocation. #PanAfricanParliament pic.twitter.com/4xk9SdHkp6

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 1, 2021

A not so subtle dig at Djibril War, but does the EFF want a ‘well done’ for not hitting a woman?

As things stand, the session has been suspended after three days of failed attempts to hold elections.

PAP is the legislative arm of the African Union (AU), but has no actual ability to make laws. Rather, it is trusted with enacting the regulations of the AU in each country.

Steven Gruzd, the head of the African Governance and Diplomacy programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, makes a valid point:

“I’ve never seen it degenerate in public like this,” said Gruzd, who has monitored the PAP throughout its establishment. “I don’t think is a very good image for an institution that is struggling to maintain relevance.”

The footage of well-dressed parliamentarians in scuffles may go viral among the public, but it also raises questions among taxpayers who foot the bill for delegates travel, stipends and other expenses during these sessions, said Gruzd.

When sessions are suspended, and proceedings drag on, it’s certainly not these MPs who are going to be out of pocket.

[source:news24]