**For background to February incident, see IFEX alert dated 8 May 1995** A member of parliament (MP) stormed into the offices of the weekly newspaper “Mmegi” and threatened the paper’s parliamentary correspondent, Mesh Moeti. In its 28 July 1995 edition, “Mmegi” reported that Botswana National Front (BNF) MP Geoffrey Mosimakoko entered the newspaper’s premises on […]
**For background to February incident, see IFEX
alert dated 8 May 1995**
A member of parliament (MP) stormed into the offices of the
weekly newspaper “Mmegi” and threatened the paper’s parliamentary
correspondent, Mesh Moeti. In its 28 July 1995 edition, “Mmegi”
reported that Botswana National Front (BNF) MP Geoffrey
Mosimakoko entered the newspaper’s premises on 26 July and warned
Moeti, `”By writing about me you are inviting trouble,”‘ while
“waving a menacing finger at Moeti.” The newspaper adds that, on
at least two occasions, another member of parliament accompanying
Mosimakoko had to step between the irate MP and Moeti to prevent
possible violence.
The incident, “Mmegi” says, was provoked by a report in the
preceding edition of the paper on a speech made by Mosimakoko
during a no confidence debate in the National Assembly. In the
report, Moeti commented on the MP’s appalling use of English,
which most people “found difficult to comprehend…. Some were
forced out of the chamber by embarrassment,” the article notes.
“This amounts to harassment,” says editor of “Mmegi” Sechele
Sechele, about the MP’s threatening behaviour. “I do not think it
is proper for an MP to invade the premises of a newspaper if they
have a complaint,” he added. Moeti told MISA that he definitely
interpreted the MP’s words and actions as a threat of violence.
“It is most unfortunate that this was done by a member of a
political party that claims to uphold the principle of freedom of
the press,” he said. Moeti also noted that Mosimakoko’s speech
took place during a no confidence debate in which the BNF, among
other things, attacked the government for not respecting freedom
of the press. The BNF has since reprimanded Mosimakoko for his
behaviour.
In its 28 July edition, “Mmegi” carried an editorial suggesting
that Setswana, the language spoken by most people in Botswana,
should be used in parliament. “It must have dawned on our
legislators that the colonial legacy of using the English
language in parliament is a serious obstacle to a free and open
discussion of national matters,” the “Mmegi” editorial says.
“Very few Batswana, if any, would suffer prejudice because of the
use of Setswana, compared to the many that are currently
suffering because of the use of English — MP’s inclusive.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the MP:
his party’s stated commitment to media freedom
Appeals To
Mr Geoffrey Mosimakoko, MP
C/O The National Assembly
P.O. Box 240
Gaborone
Fax: +267 313103
Tel: +267 373200
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
