Molale fears for MPs safety
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday March 4, 2015 18:00
He told Parliament yesterday that political discourse of late has been characterised by deep emotions and actions that call for increased vigilance.
“Reports that have reached us and our security organs indicate that there are intentions by some members of the public to cause harm to some Members of Parliament. It has been reported and there is evidence that some individuals whose dress code breaches the etiquette and decorum of this house, have accessed the premises of parliamentary buildings and at times carrying objects that can easily be used as weapons,” Molale said.
He said there are lots of unlicensed and illegal handguns in the possession of the general public.
Molale stressed that the current levels of agitation and near intolerance displayed by some members of the public, makes it imperative that the security of the parliamentary premises be protected by their security organs for the safety of all.
He said they recently attended a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly where the issue was under discussion and an agreement was reached that security assessment be done by the relevant agencies.
“To achieve security of Parliament, we need to first and foremost restrict access into the premises so that we have control on how we will from now henceforth maintain only two entry points, being at the frontage of the parliamentary buildings and the second one behind the buildings on the western side of the buildings,” he said.
The Minister said these entry points would be manned around the clock by VVIP protection unit members primarily to prevent anybody from accessing the premises of the parliamentary buildings wielding any weapons or any such dangerous items that may endanger life, intimidate others or even scare people.
He said they would achieve these by the use of walkthrough magnetometer detectors and x-ray machines to scan individuals and their luggage.
He said the public gallery would be secured by members of the security.
Members of opposition in Parliament have rejected Molale’s position, telling the Minister that they do not want police officers or Director for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) officers in Parliament. Gaborone Central MP Phenyo Butale said the intention of the government is to take the powers and independence of Parliament.
“We are not comfortable with this move, more so that they did not consult us on the matter,” Butale said. MP for Francistown West Wynter Mmolotsi said they are surprised that Molale’s ministry took the decision without involving MPs.