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The exit of former president Jacob Zuma from office has spared us the ugly sight of the white shirts beating up elected MPs.
For that we are grateful.
But the disappearance of the white shirts has not necessarily ended the mayhem, disrespect and juvenile behaviour of MPs.
We must first acknowledge that we deserve a robust Parliament in which each member represents the interests – convincingly and comprehensively – of his or her constituency.
But what we did not ask for is for them to sink to the gutter as they did this week.
The beleaguered Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, already in trouble for lies he told the courts and a masturbation video that is topping the porn sites, sunk to his lowest when he displayed a pinkie finger towards Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. Gigaba was joined by the immature Lindiwe Zulu.
In the most childish behaviour seen in Parliament, Gigaba was essentially bragging about his manhood and casting aspersions on Ndlozi’s. He apologised but that does not excuse what was deliberate, unprovoked puerile conduct.
In the same sitting there were shameful scenes of EFF MPs openly assaulting Agang MP Andries Molapi Tlouamma. It is ironic that it was EFF MPs, previous victims of assault in Parliament, who were the perpetrators of this violence.
Their actions followed on the equally despicable behaviour of Tlouamma, who threatened an EFF MP and told her to f*ck off.
This is indeed a Parliament of lightweights who deserve one another. As they themselves have said, there is nothing honourable about most of them. Parliament should be an arena of debate and exchange of powerful ideas about improving our society. It is anything but.
When they first arrived in Parliament, the EFF boasted it had re-energised a sleepy, boring institution to a lively one that captured the attention of many South Africans.
However, most of their drama was driven by Zuma, whom they wanted humiliated. And they have since degenerated into an unruly mob, joined by some DA and ANC MPs.
We hope the next crop of MPs who sit in Parliament after next year’s elections will bring better brains and decorum to the House.
