SONA will be hosted elsewhere following parliament blaze
Parliament says historical treasures of heritage, the precinct and its content and assets are just some of the valuables that were reduced to ashes after a fire broke out at the national assembly yesterday.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who visited parliament yesterday after the fire broke.
It's believed the blaze started at the parliament precinct, which spread to both the old assembly wing and the National Assembly wing. Ramaphosa said he was saddened to witness flames engulf the home of our democracy.
Just a day after the send-off for Archbishop Desmond Tutu while also praised the city of Cape Town's firefighters for their speedy response.
Following the incident, National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula held a media briefing yesterday afternoon to give an update on the fire gutting Parliament. She says the State of the Nation Address planned for February will have to be hosted elsewhere.
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"Therefore SONA should continue. Our is to find an alternative manner and an alternative venue where the parliament and president can address the public from."
She also confirmed details of another fire that took place in Parliament in March last year.
"The report identified that an electrical fault as the main cause of the fire in parliament. I am aware from the officials that yes, that the report was descended to the residing officers and that the recommendations for the report are currently being implemented."
Maphisa-Nqakula says if indeed the fire was an attack on parliament, it's an attack on the state. "Anyone who even considers attacking the institution of parliament actually attacks our democracy, attacks everything that South African people fought for."
