Brutality in Parliament
Baboki Kayawe | Tuesday July 7, 2015 18:03
The dramatic turn of events, a first in the history of the National Assembly, followed a heated encounter over the electricity and water situation motion.
The bone of contention was the refusal by the deputy speaker Kagiso Molatlhegi’s to grant Gaborone Central MP Phenyo Butale a chance to present an urgent motion on the national water and electricity crisis.
Molatlhegi denied the journalist-cum-politician from making the presentation on grounds that the matter was due before the House as a question from Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse.
“I need to give him priority because he is the first one to present intention to have the matter discussed,” Molatlhegi said.
“It won’t be fair to skip him and allow you to present it,” insisted the deputy speaker.
First to be shown the door was Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsi who persistently took to the floor to argue the importance and urgency of the motion without Molatlhegi’s permission.
His continued nagging led to Molatlhegi ordering the Parliament security to remove the Umbrella for Democratic Change MP from the House.
A mini brawl nearly ensued between parliamentary security personnel, the police, who suddenly appeared inside Parliament, and the UDC parliamentarians when they formed a guard to protect and prevent the force from throwing Mmolotsi out.
While the media was still interviewing Mmolotsi on what had just happened, they witnessed about four men carrying Butale, like a sack of potatoes, before throwing him onto the hard pavement, to the shock of on-lookers. While some looked-on in amazement, others rushed to help him up.
Once collected, Butale told the gathered media that he intended pressing charges. His immediate response to his brutal treatment was that this was a clear case of “a dictatorship masquerading as a democracy”.
He said the fact that he was manhandled and thrown on the floor would not silence the opposition because the Deputy Speaker had misdirected himself into thinking the act would silence and censor them.
“If all it takes for the matter to take precedence is by having all opposition MPs thrown out of the House, then let it be. Tomorrow we will be here again fighting for this matter to be discussed,” he said.
After the drama, the opposing camp continued to register their displeasure through a walk out after repeated attempts to have the matter debated hit a snag.
In an interesting turn of events, Botswana Congress Party (BPC) members of Parliament, who initially seemed oblivious to the events, joined the UDC in a protest march, save for Keorapetse, but after brief adjournment, did not return to the House.
Subsequent to the saga, Mmolotsi said they would not stop campaigning for constant supply of power and clean water as this is what constituents were demanding.
“People are in the dark. They want clean water. They are constantly complaining about this. It’s a pity the ruling party does not want to discuss and address these issues since they feel they will shame them,” said Mmolotsi.
He said no amount of police intimidation and threats would stop them from talking about the water and power crisis.
“Even when I go back to Parliament, which I don’t know when, I will continue talking about the issues,” he said.