The MP Bobirwa, Taolo Lucas seems to have now acclimatised to the live inside Parliament and was in his element on Friday – taking no prisoners.
Responding to his motion calling on Government to establish a Social Justice Commission to help address the acute levels of inequality in the country, Lucas took swipe at cabinet ministers who opposed his motion.
First to fall on Lucas’ political sword was the Minister of Presidential Affairs Governance and Public Administration Kabo Morwaeng, who had said that there was no need to establish the commission as there are existing programmes catering for what the motion was suggesting.
Smiling, he shook his head and looked at Morwaeng who was sitting opposite him and said that he was surprised that Morwaeng was opposing the motion.
“You and I spend more two decades trying to come to this house and you are worse because is 25 years and now you are standing there giving pedestrian reasons to oppose the motion – I am shocked,” he hit out sending the house into a fit of laughter.
Lucas said the Commission seeks to address the disparity between the rich and the poor, citing that Morwaeng’s constituency was one of the most affected.
Lucas, who seemed to have sharpened his claws, moved to the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development Mmusi Kgafela and asked him if he has ever visited his brother Kgosi Kgafela II in South Africa.
“I wonder whether you have had conversation with your brother recently because he is talking about constitutional review but you Morena Mmusi you’re moving in a different direction,” he hit out.
Minister Kgafela had indicated that the motion was ill intended and meant only to expose the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which he said was doing a lot for Batswana.
“Don’t be afraid Morena Mmusi I am not exposing the BDP government but rather raising a pertinent issue that needs to be addressed,” said the MP with his cheeky laughter.
Lucas’ response was occasioned by an assurance that he will accept it even if the motion was defeated but that should be done by giving convincing reasons.
He also dismissed the input of Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Dumezweni Mthimkhulu.
The only cabinet minister who received a positive response from Lucas was Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Dr Unity Dow, saying she has demonstrated that she is a human rights lawyer.
“Dr Dow you’re a true human rights lawyer; not like some who go around claiming to be human rights lawyers yet doing the opposite,” he declared.
In her debate, Dr Dow had acknowledged that there was high disparity between the poor and the rich and that instead of establishing a commission, the existing structures should be adequately funded to address the issue. Parliament is expected to vote on the motion next week.