Siyabonga Mkhwanazi

Parliamentary speaker Max Sisulu on Tuesday protected President Jacob Zuma and blocked questions on the controversial multibillion rand police leasing deals.

This, despite MPs assailing Zuma with questions in Parliament demanding tough action against Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde for approving the alleged dodgy police lease agreements.

After heated exchanges in the National Assembly, Sisulu ruled opposition MPs out of order for asking Zuma questions regarding the R1.5bn lease of buildings by police as the subject under discussion related to local government.

The intervention by Sisulu elicited a furious response from DA chief whip Ian Davidson that he was protecting the President for his failure to take action against the Public Works Minister, despite recommendations by public protector Thuli Madonsela for remedial action.

The debate on the police lease saga in Parliament yesterday came a day after Zuma missed the deadline of the public protector to file a response on her report, regarding the course of action against Mahlangu-Nkabinde. In a media statement on Monday, Zuma’s office said he would make his decision public in “due course”.

Cope MP Juli Kilian told Zuma in Parliament that he had violated the Constitution by failing to respond to Madonsela’s findings and recommendations within the set deadline.

But the speaker came to Zuma’s rescue, saying that what was being asked was out of order.

“I wish to state this that does not relate to the question (on local government),” Sisulu told the house.

siyabongam@thenewage.co.za