On Wednesday evening DA MP David Maynier was kicked out of the National Assembly after refusing to withdraw his statement that the Gupta family were President Jacob Zuma’s “number one clients.”
Maynier was the only MP kicked out of Parliament’s sitting to debate Zuma’s budget vote.
“The truth is President Zuma’s midnight cabinet reshuffle had nothing to do with improving efficiency and effectiveness and everything to do with capturing national treasury for his number one clients‚ the Guptas,” said Maynier.
After being asked to withdraw his comments by National Assembly House chairperson Cedric Frolick, following complaints from ANC MPs that the comments were “unparliamentary”, he was shown the door.
“When referring to the president’s reshuffle‚ you said he was doing it for his number one client‚ the Guptas. No member may impute improper motives to another member. I’m asking you now‚ for the third time‚ to withdraw the remark‚” said Frolick.
Maynier, after refusing to withdraw his remarks, walked out to a standing ovation from his fellow DA members.