Order! I would like to make a ruling on a point of order raised by hon Terblanche yesterday during our plenary session. Yes, I know that the member is not in the House but because this is the last sitting in this particular session I have to rule on it and she will get a copy of my ruling.
The hon member asked if it was correct in terms of the Council Rules for hon C A T Smith, a special delegate from the Northern Cape, to refer to a previous debate. She requested that I should make a ruling on this matter, which I said I would.
Hon Smith said the following in Afrikaans, which has since been translated:
South Africa has a history in which democratic principles did not exist and which we did not know of. It is absolutely arrogant, as the member of the DA did earlier, to come and speak about democratic principles in this debate, as if they taught these principles to South Africa. It is the ANC who taught South Africa about democratic principles.
In terms of Rule 47(1) of the Council Rules, no member, while addressing the Council, may reflect upon any decision of the Council taken in the same annual session, except for the purpose of moving that such decision be amended or rescinded. I, therefore, rule that what the hon Smith said did not violate the Rules of the Council as quoted. Therefore, the hon member's statement was procedural and in order. That is my ruling.
See also QUESTIONS AND REPLIES.