Freedom of speech and democracy in South Africa?

Is this an indication that freedom of speech and democracy are under
pressure in South Africa?


SABC:
"Outspoken DA member suspended from Parliament
September 06, 2007, 16:30

The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on health, Mike Waters, has
been suspended from the National Assembly for five working days,
following his refusal yesterday to abide by a ruling from speaker Baleka
Mbete.

Yesterday, Waters wanted to know if the health minister, Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang, had informed President Thabo Mbeki that she had been
convicted of theft in 1976. Mbete ruled the question out of order.
Waters challenged her ruling, and at first refused to leave the chamber
when ordered to do so. "


Lately it seems to be that any criticism of the government is not seen
as a welcome means to improve oneself, but rather as: "irrelevant,
unconstructive, out of order" etc. Or it is simply denied: "Crisis in
Zimbabwe, what crisis?"

It almost seems as if many members of government are practicing what
they have learned in their "comrades years" in Moscow, Cuba etc, as they
are using almost literally the same old style sovjet rethorics.

Such a shame for such a wonderfull country. What happened to the hopes
and dreams of the rainbow nation?