Unrest broke out in parliament on Friday afternoon when it was said in a debate that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, “facilitates genocide against black people”.
It was immediately demanded that EFF MP Naledi Chirwa withdraw her comment.
The drama erupted in a debate over the Department of Health’s budget in the National Assembly when Chirwa, who participated online, said, among other things, that the government “under the leadership of Mkhize is killing especially black people in a deliberate facilitate genocide ”.
“This is because he said yesterday (Thursday) that the goal is no longer to prevent infections, but to delay it.”
Chirwa further said that Mkhize had “acknowledged its intention to murder black South Africans”.
Bhekizizwe Radebe first made a statement, saying that the remarks are “parliamentary”.
Cedric Frolick, chair of the session, asked Chirwa to withdraw the statement.
She replied that she said this in a specific context and continued with her speech.
Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane then asked Frolick online at a point of order to force Chirwa to withdraw her statement that “the minister facilitates genocide”.
“Genocide is a serious crime in terms of international law and in South Africa. She said it before and repeated it again, and I request that she be called to order and withdraw her statement. “
Frolick then asked Chirwa to retract her statements, which she then refused.
At the time, Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, also jumped online at a point of order and told Frolick that Chirwa should withdraw her statement that “Minister Zweli Mkhize acknowledged the murders of people”.
“She said it openly. It simply cannot be tolerated. She can say anything, but not that the minister has admitted to killing people. It cannot be allowed. She has to withdraw it. “
Frolick replied that Chirwa refused to do so, and removed her from the online session.
Floyd Shivambu, EFF leader, also said at a point of order that he only wanted to remind Frolick of the court order of the previous parliamentary term when EFF leader Julius Malema also said in a hearing that “the ANC government killed workers in Marikana ”.
