Disciplinary action looms for MK Party MP Visvin Reddy over misconduct

Outspoken MK Party MP Visvin Reddy has found himself on the wrong side of parliamentary rules due to alleged misconduct during a plenary sitting earlier this year.

This comes after the Powers and Privileges Committee resolved on Thursday to refer Reddy to the disciplinary committee after he reportedly disregarded instructions from National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Annelie Lotriet.

The same fate has befallen the Patriotic Alliance’s Chief Whip, Marlon Daniels, who also faces repercussions for his actions that facilitated another MP’s breach of Parliamentary protocol.

The controversy surrounding Reddy stems from a series of events during a plenary session in March, where Lotriet repeatedly requested him to cease interjecting and only speak after being recognised.

Parliamentary procedural advisor Victor Ngaleka detailed that the matter escalated to the point where Reddy was ultimately asked to leave the Chamber, although he initially resisted before departing of his own accord after the acting Sergeant-at-Arms and protection officers were asked to remove him.

Ngaleka explained that the case against Reddy was initiated following a report from Lotriet regarding his conduct, leading National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to pass on the allegations to the Powers and Privileges Committee for further investigation.

Initially, the committee reviewed the evidence, including video footage and audio recordings, but did not find sufficient grounds for contempt, believing instead it constituted misconduct.

“It considered Hansard, a video, and legal opinion, and concluded that the matter had not reached the threshold for contempt, and it was probably misconduct,” Ngaleka said.

Ngaleka said it was noted that the sound system issues in the marquee, which were discussed in the Programme Committee, may have contributed to Reddy’s failure to hear the Deputy Speaker’s instructions. 

Reddy stood by his claim regarding the technical difficulties on the day, saying the ongoing issues with the sound system were partially responsible for the marquee’s discontinuation.

He said on Friday, the parliamentary legal advice proved to him to be correct that on the day in question, the sound system was so bad.

“At no stage was it an act of defiance on my part. I did not hear the Deputy Speaker,” he said.

Reddy expressed his willingness to submit to the disciplinary committee to present his case.

“It's clear and simple. There is no politics,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to the process.

In a related incident, Marlon Daniels, chief whip of the Patriotic Alliance, has been scrutinised for allowing colleague Raatiqah Tagodien into the Chamber after the voting bells had rung, violating procedural rules in April.

DA Chief Whip George Michalakis alerted House Chairperson Cedric Frolick about the breach, but when Tagodien was instructed to leave, Frolick lacked the complete context to act against Daniels at the time.

Ngaleka revealed that an investigation was launched following Michalakis's written complaint, resulting in a report indicating that Daniels had, in fact, pushed a security official to allow Tagodien entry.

Ngaleka said that when the matter was referred to the committee, Daniels contested some of the allegations, but he admitted to breaching the rules.

Daniels agreed to plead guilty, and there was an agreement on a sanction to be imposed on him when officially charged.

The committee has decided to recommend a reprimand, including an official apology to the House and the security official involved.

Attempts to reach Daniels for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered and he did not respond to text messages.

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