The DA will lay criminal charges against legislature officials following an aggressive confrontation by a legislature official, who refused to identify himself, who not only threatened DA members of the Limpopo Legislature, Adv Franco Marx and Jacques Smalle, but physically assaulted a female journalist from a reputable national media house.
On 17 November 2025, an interview between our members and journalists within the precinct was pre-arranged and the necessary logistical arrangements were made to utilise a boardroom, given the ongoing failure by the legislature to maintain office space allocated to the DA caucus.
Immediately after the interview, the media team was aggressively confronted by the said unidentified official.
Even after our members identified themselves, and indicated to the official that the media representatives were guests of the DA, the official refused to identify himself, acted in a threatening manner stating: “I will clean you out of here.”
SAPS officers stationed at the precinct informed our members that the aggressive individual was in fact the Security Manager, but refused to provide his name, despite multiple requests.
Instead, the official and the SAPS insisted that the DA representatives leave the building immediately.
The Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act criminalise any action which improperly interferes with the performance of the functions of a member.
Furthermore, freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and journalists must be able to perform their duties without fear of assault, harassment, or political interference.
We will request the Speaker to investigate this incident and table an urgent motion concerning the privileges of the house.
The Limpopo Legislature should be a house of democratic values, not a place where journalists are attacked and elected public representatives are threatened.