Hon members, the second point of order was put by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, who referred to a statement by hon Van der Westhuizen to the effect that:
We also believe that the government, when dealing with Cosatu, should require Cosatu to discipline its members to stop inciting violence, to respect the laws of this country and to respect human life, even when their majority status as a labour union comes under threat.
The Minister requested that it be declared unparliamentary.
Having studied the Hansard, I wish to rule as follows.
Taking into account my earlier ruling about reflections on political parties not being out of order, and having due regard for the fact that Cosatu is not a political party represented in this House, I find that hon Van Der Westhuizen's remarks did not cast aspersions on the character of any member of this House and can thus not be ruled unparliamentary.
Having said that, I would like to urge members, as other presiding officers have done previously, to refrain from making inflammatory, divisive and unsubstantiated statements in the House.