Ugly words mar last day of MPs

THE last sitting day of the National Assembly on Thursday was marred by an ugly outburst by a Cabinet Minister directed at a member of the opposition, dictating to him “not to mention the name of John Vorster in this House,” while a Deputy Minister threatened “to deal” with him.

Due to sluggish and lacklustre debate in the last weeks before the Christmas recess, there were 10 items left on the agenda on Thursday and the session continued until 20h00. The debate on national reconciliation, tabled by Tsudao Gurirab of CoD, also had to be wrapped up.Henk Mudge of the Republican Party (RP) was constantly interrupted by MPs from the Swapo benches as he said he wanted to give a brief overview of Namibian political events between 1970 and 1990.As he mentioned that former South African Prime Minster John Vorster had worked out a ten-point plan with a UN official about Namibia’s future, Lands and Resettlement Minister Jerry Ekandjo jumped up on a point of order.”Who was Vorster? You are scratching in old wounds,” Ekandjo yelled at the top of his voice, “Don’t mention Vorster here in this House,” he yelled, banging one hand loudly on his desk.”What I say is a part of history, it is not provocative …” Mudge said, but was immediately interrupted again by Ekandjo.”It is provocative to us,” he shouted.After Ekandjo’s outburst Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka caved in and said to Mudge:” I think I cannot let you go on.”Jurie Viljoen of the Monitor Action Group (MAG) informed the House that he and Mudge were not defending apartheid in any way when they contributed to debates in general.”When Chief Justus Garoëb spoke on this debate, he said far more provocative things than Mudge and I did, what must we do, commit suicide or what?” he wanted to know.Deputy Local, Regional Government and Housing Minister Kazenambo Kazenambo, ever willing to be controversial, stood up.”We suffered and were humiliated, if you (Mudge) continue, we will deal with you,” he shouted, amidst giggles and grins of approval from his fellow Swapo MPs.The Deputy Speaker ordered Kazenambo to withdraw the threat, which he did.Justice Minister and Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana now also displayed her unwillingness to listen to Mudge and said: “We cannot be subjected to torture from children of apartheid.”Dirk Mudge, the father of the RP president, was part of the transitional government in Windhoek before 1990, set up by apartheid South Africa.Sioka then asked the MPs according to Rule 97 to vote if they wanted to continue listening to Mudge or not, saying “I cannot have Honourable Mudge tortured by other MPs like that.”Twenty-four MPs did not want to hear any more from Mudge, four abstained and five wanted him to continue.As a result, Mudge was silenced by the rule.”This means that whenever some MPs don’t like you they evoke Rule 97 and stop you from the democratic right to take part in the debate of this House,” an irritated but composed Mudge said.Gurirab’s motion was then voted on.Eight MPs voted to accept the motion on national reconciliation, two abstained and 29 MPs, all representing Swapo, rejected the motion.The atmosphere was spoilt after this and when it came to the last words of each party leader to reflect on the parliamentary year, they just briefly wished fellow MPs a merry Christmas.Parliament will resume its sessions on February 19.The debate on national reconciliation, tabled by Tsudao Gurirab of CoD, also had to be wrapped up.Henk Mudge of the Republican Party (RP) was constantly interrupted by MPs from the Swapo benches as he said he wanted to give a brief overview of Namibian political events between 1970 and 1990.As he mentioned that former South African Prime Minster John Vorster had worked out a ten-point plan with a UN official about Namibia’s future, Lands and Resettlement Minister Jerry Ekandjo jumped up on a point of order.”Who was Vorster? You are scratching in old wounds,” Ekandjo yelled at the top of his voice, “Don’t mention Vorster here in this House,” he yelled, banging one hand loudly on his desk.”What I say is a part of history, it is not provocative …” Mudge said, but was immediately interrupted again by Ekandjo.”It is provocative to us,” he shouted.After Ekandjo’s outburst Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka caved in and said to Mudge:” I think I cannot let you go on.”Jurie Viljoen of the Monitor Action Group (MAG) informed the House that he and Mudge were not defending apartheid in any way when they contributed to debates in general.”When Chief Justus Garoëb spoke on this debate, he said far more provocative things than Mudge and I did, what must we do, commit suicide or what?” he wanted to know.Deputy Local, Regional Government and Housing Minister Kazenambo Kazenambo, ever willing to be controversial, stood up.”We suffered and were humiliated, if you (Mudge) continue, we will deal with you,” he shouted, amidst giggles and grins of approval from his fellow Swapo MPs.The Deputy Speaker ordered Kazenambo to withdraw the threat, which he did.Justice Minister and Attorney General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana now also displayed her unwillingness to listen to Mudge and said: “We cannot be subjected to torture from children of apartheid.”Dirk Mudge, the father of the RP president, was part of the transitional government in Windhoek before 1990, set up by apartheid South Africa.Sioka then asked the MPs according to Rule 97 to vote if they wanted to continue listening to Mudge or not, saying “I cannot have Honourable Mudge tortured by other MPs like that.”Twenty-four MPs did not want to hear any more from Mudge, four abstained and five wanted him to continue.As a result, Mudge was silenced by the rule.”This means that whenever some MPs don’t like you they evoke Rule 97 and stop you from the democratic right to take part in the debate of this House,” an irritated but composed Mudge said.Gurirab’s motion was then voted on.Eight MPs voted to accept the motion on national reconciliation, two abstained and 29 MPs, all representing Swapo, rejected the motion.The atmosphere was spoilt after this and when it came to the last words of each party leader to reflect on the parliamentary year, they just briefly wished fellow MPs a merry Christmas.Parliament will resume its sessions on February 19.