Enforce the Code of Conduct

( Comment ) 

Our new Members of Parliament have been oriented.

It’s all well and good that our MPs were given a run-down of parliamentary rules and regulations, which included proper conduct in and out of chambers.

We trust that this forms part of the much-anticipated Code of Conduct for MPs that is still supposedly at drafting stage.

The process of drafting a code of conduct for MPs began during the term of the current Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini. Five years later it remains a pipe dream.

The reaction by some MPs to calls by SWAGAA Director and MP Nonhlanhla Dlamini for MPs to refrain from sexual relationships with minors, seem to justify the delay in having the code completed and implemented.

The conduct of many MPs in the previous parliament, left a lot to be desired. As for some ministers, well, the less said the better.

That some MPs see no problem with spending their time with voters in public bars speaks volumes of the character we are to be subjected to for the next five years.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has called upon all MPs to declare their assets to the Speaker and the Senate President. This is a good thing and is provided for in the constitution, even though we do not yet have an Integrity Commission.

These declarations, however, are useless if they remain a secret document as there are some MPs and Senators who are coming to Parliament with a fleet of very expensive vehicles, several mansions (and God knows what more) earned from a salaries that could never afford them all. Where and how have they been acquired?

These questions must be asked from the onset and publicly exposed if we are to have an honourable parliament.

We also hope the Code of Conduct for MPs will address the issue of MPs in the dock. While it is true that a person is innocent until proven guilty, it makes no sense to ban MPs from bars, while allowing them to attend parliament sessions straight from the accused box. Which tarnishes the image of Parliament more?

MPs must be suspended from sittings just as civil servants are suspended from work for any offence that has a sentence of six months or more.

As for the honourable senators who cannot differentiate between a wig and a hat; we can only but worry about what to expect from them.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: