Norton legislator Themba Mliswa whose sordid affair has been splashed in the social media has showered praise on former Vice-President Kembo Mohadi , who resigned on Monday, for putting the nation first saying he had set a precedent that other leaders must follow.
Mliswa said Mohadi deserved praise because when one is no longer in power no one remembers what one did.
Mliswa, who was said to be gay and was plotting the downfall of other politicians, called on something to be done about the social media.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, may we also be aware of social media that it is an animal that attacks. For as long as we do not give a fair trial to anybody implicated, tomorrow it will be me, but for me, I am used to it anyway – so it is not much of a problem,” he said.
“For other Members who are here, including yourself Mr. Speaker Sir, it just takes one person to write something which is not true and that becomes a fact. There has got to be a way through the law, I think the Minister of Justice is hearing me and can at least come up with a credible way of ensuring that whatever is alleged is true or not. As politicians we are very much vulnerable to that.”
Full speech:
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to recognise the work of Vice President Mohadi who has resigned. He was a member of this House who was respectful of this House, no matter what differences we have with him, I must say I had differences with him but he never took it a step further. He treated you as a leader. The decision he has made is a decision which he has made to put the country first. He is somebody who liberated this country and when he was called to Parliament he would answer questions.
He had been a Member of this Parliament long before we became Members. His voice and stature will be missed. I hope that he is leaving knowing that the respect he has earned is something that is a legacy. At times leaders do not resign, especially African leaders – they like to stay and die in power, but he chose to put the country first and as such, he has earned respect of many. It is a precedence which also has been set by all of us as leaders that we must also take cognisance of many factors and put the country first.
At the same time Mr. Speaker Sir, may we also be aware of social media that it is an animal that attacks. For as long as we do not give a fair trial to anybody implicated, tomorrow it will be me, but for me, I am used to it anyway – so it is not much of a problem. For other Members who are here, including yourself Mr. Speaker Sir, it just takes one person to write something which is not true and that becomes a fact. There has got to be a way through the law, I think the Minister of Justice is hearing me and can at least come up with a credible way of ensuring that whatever is alleged is true or not. As politicians we are very much vulnerable to that.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we serve people and unfortunately when you are out of power, nobody remembers what you did, but we sacrifice to be here in many ways. So, Mr. Speaker Sir, may he enjoy his retirement and know that he served this country well. He fought for it and the precedence set is admirable, honourable. He goes with dignity and integrity. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir
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