14 Jul 2016

Vice President and Leader of the House, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has, Wednesday issued a statement in Parliament regarding what he termed as degenerating behaviour of some Members of Parliament during Parliament business.

Mr Masisi said the statement was issued in response to the growing incidents of ‘unruly behaviour’ that transpired during the current sitting which he said was unacceptable.

“Madam Speaker, Let me make it abundantly clear that such acts of brazen violence as well as disrespect should not be tolerated by anyone anywhere. Such a disgraceful act could be perpetuated within this august chamber, by one of its own members is, however, especially deplorable,” he said.

The Vice President further said he appreciates that people may become passionate in their different points of view, but noted it should never be an excuse for descending into totally disruptive behaviour in the Parliament chamber.

He said he was concerned that if Parliament descends into chaos it can become the slippery slope and that in the absence of good governance they face the threat of becoming a failed state rather than the well-established democracy the world has come to know and admire.

He further noted that while the voters that elected MPs were divided in their choices, they were united as Batswana by a common desire for a better future of the country, and that they should not be taken for granted.

“It must, therefore, be our common responsibility, no matter where we sit in this chamber, to reflect the will of our people by agreeing and agreeing to disagree with common purpose and mutual respect,” he said.

He told Parliament that given the incitement government has decided that the security of the speaker and deputy speaker be augmented. 

He said for the time being, the overall security of Parliament shall also have to be further enhanced.

“I dread to think that yesterday’s incident may have set this house on a path of self-inflicted decline. 

We have clearly reached a fork in the road where we can either build on Golden Jubilee legacy of progress or degenerate by turning our back on the noble traditions of civility and free and friendly debate that have characterised the deliberations of this House since it first convened back in 1965,” he said..

Earlier on, the Speaker, Ms Gladys Kokorwe had also issued a statement that Parliament security has been reinforced.

She said measures introduced include removal of water and glasses from the chamber and increasing a number of security personnel inside the chamber.

“Further, in conjunction with security agencies, we are to introduce scanners and other security gadgets at strategic points in and around Parliament premises.

Ms Kokorwe further said introduction of security measures was delayed because Parliament was still being refurbished.The statements follow an incident in which on July 12, during the sitting, fierce exchange of words ensued from members of the House, which ended in Mogoditshane MP, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba being asked to leave the House by the Speaker, Ms Kokorwe, after he had hit Deputy Speaker Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi with a bottle of water.

Mr Kgoroba had earlier on expressed discontent that MPs should not make remarks or mention the name of the late Gomolemo Motswaledi during the sitting. ENDS