Speaker, the DA is slow to deal with its errant representatives. One of their members is currently facing rape charges in court and is still a public representative. [Applause.]
The latest is that the very same member was allegedly part of an illegal house sale as a Cape councillor under then Mayor Helen Zille. It is averred he got involved in a house grab and displaced an elderly beneficiary.
The RDP house was then sold to a third party. The member concerned went as far as certifying this with his councillor's stamp. The new owner of the house declared under oath that the member, when he was still a councillor, sold the home to her for R40 000 and has received ... [Interjections.]
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: The issue has already been raised this afternoon by the hon Van Schalkwyk about whether you can cast aspersions about a sitting member of the House. Now the hon member from the ANC speaking at the present time is doing just that, sir, and I urge that you rule this particular statement out of order.
You cannot cast aspersions on a sitting member of this House without a substantive motion.
Speaker, on a point of order: I tried to listen to the member carefully, and I did not hear him refer to the name of a member who sits in this House. So, I really do not know what Mr Mike Ellis's point of order is.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order: With all due respect to my colleague from the ANC Whippery, that is nonsense, sir. It is quite clear that the hon member making the statement has referred to a member of this House, and that, sir, is against the Rules of this House.
Can he perhaps name that member for us? [Interjections.]
Order! Hon members, I will look at Hansard and come back with a ruling on this matter. [Interjections.] Hon member, I said I would come back with a ruling on the matter.
Speaker, on a point of order: I seek your assistance in my rising to address you.
Speaker, if I could direct you to Rule 63 of this House in terms of conduct of debate, it indicates that no member shall use offensive or unbecoming language. We appear before South Africa and the world as we address matters in this House.
Is it becoming for us to throw "rubbish", "nonsense" at each other? And I speak to all members of the House. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members!
I speak of all members of the House in all parties represented in the House, as to whether such references by any of us reflect "becoming language".
Thank you, hon member. This, sadly, is not becoming. It is unbecoming language. I would like to make an appeal here. Please let us respect the Rules of the House. That includes the language.
Speaker, on a point of order: I rise on this matter, and I would like to withdraw my remarks in response to those that came from the member and which he continues to make. I would like to withdraw mine. [Applause.]
Thank you, hon member.
Hon member, do you wish to withdraw that unbecoming language of "rubbish"?
Mr Speaker, I think that as I have stood here over the years, I have heard many unbecoming things from the ANC. Taking into account the word that I might have said, namely "rubbish", I actually do not believe that I have any reason to withdraw anything at all, sir. So no, I won't.
Thank you. I will again look at Hansard and I will come back to that point with a ruling.