DA MP accused of chasing social media clicks during fiery parliamentary sports committee clash
Tensions flared as Olympic boss Barry Hendricks slammed MP Liam Jacobs for turning oversight into a 'social media circus'...
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to News24 journalist Jason Felix.
Listen below:
What place does social media have in modern day politics?
Too much, according to South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Barry Hendricks, who was ejected from a parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday.
It was after a heated exchange between Hendricks and Democratic Alliance MP Liam Jacobs.
Hendricks took issue with Jacobs sharing videos of the proceedings on social media, accusing him of turning parliamentary oversight into a "social media circus."
When committee chair Joe McGluwa asked Hendricks to withdraw the comment, he refused and exited the session.
"His main gripe was the fact that Liam Jacobs records himself making videos of his interactions with sports federations and the sports department and other officials, but the officials never get to respond."
- Jason Felix, News24 Reporter
"His massive following on TikTok only gets to see his side of the story... and I think that's where the frustration came yesterday."
- Jason Felix, News24 Reporter
Jacobs, who has built a significant online following by merging politics with entertainment, stood by his actions.
The clash came during a particularly tense day involving MPs, senior Olympic officials and SAFA members - including Danny Jordaan.
"It was clear that there was frustration, even from Danny Jordaan's side and some of the other SAFA officials."
- Jason Felix, News24 Reporter
Felix says we are experiencing a new age of politics, and the developments in technology allow MPs to interact with their constituents in a more direct and immediate way than in the past.
"Technology rules... this makes it easier for MPs to interact with constituents."
- Jason Felix, News24 Reporter
"Liam Jacobs certainly isn't the only MP that records messages and records himself interacting with officials in government."
- Jason Felix, News24 Reporter
@liamjacobs.za These were my final words following a hard-hitting meeting with the South African Football Association (SAFA). I read a message sent to me from a team within the ABC Motsepe League. I will not rest in my pursuit of the truth. Full videos will be out from tomorrow! Stay tuned! #southafricanpolitics #politics #parliament ♬ original sound - Liam Jacobs MP
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