Women Members of Parliament say they have never been bullied in the House of Assembly, but have instead received encouragement and support from their male colleagues.
This was shared by some of the female MPs yesterday following a statement made by Maseyisini MP Nokuthula Dlamini during the ministry of public works and transport first quarter budget performance debate last Wednesday.
Dlamini had questioned why she was being bullied in Parliament and if the act was being done because she was female. She further asked for protection from the chairperson of the portfolio committee.
The MPs said they had a different experience inside the House, even though they were aware of the incident that happened between Dlamini and a male colleague, which was also part of the debate.
The women MPs stated that they had never been bullied or felt like they were being bullied during a debate. Lubombo region MP Futhi Ngcamphalala said she has never been bullied but instead had built a good working relationship with her male colleagues. She said she had never experienced bullying since her first day in Parliament.
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“I think they take my submissions seriously. Even though we differ in opinion, I feel they are always willing to hear my submissions because they complain when I’m quiet,” she said.
She added that in her view her male colleagues valued the opinions made by the female MPs.
She said she does not think there would be an MP who would want to bully another because they respect each other.
Mangcongco MP Nomalanga Dlamini said she has never felt bullied in the House before, however, acknowledged the incident that happened in the chamber last week.
She said she was comfortable during debates and never felt inferior.
“Our male colleagues support us even if we debate and personalise things. If we debate about things that are happening in our constituencies, our male colleagues are always ready to help and support us,” she said.
Ludzeludze MP Nomkhosi Masuku also stated that she has never been bullied in the house. She said she was not sure if this was because of her bubbly personality or because she understood the characters of her colleagues.
She said she did not pay attention to many of the things that were said by the MPs because she assumed they were cracking jokes, since she also interacted with them the same way.
“I can make submissions, and I think we have a healthy working environment. Some motions have been moved by female MPs, and we have also been seconders to many motions, which shows that we are being treated fairly and we feel equal to the men inside the chamber,” she said.
MP Tsembeni Magongo added that even though she was still new in parliament and learning the ropes, she had never felt inferior and bullied.
She said in most cases, she was quiet because she was studying the atmosphere and debating whether she would be breaking any standing orders or not.
She said ever since she got into parly, she had never felt belittled .“I could not understand what the issue was about during this particular debate and I was sitting at the back to hear what was said to her.
“She came out smiling, which means that they might have sorted out the issues with the colleague who might have offended her,” she said.
Shiselweni I MP Shawnette Henwood echoed the words of her colleagues. She said she was always comfortable speaking and debating motions inside the chamber. She added that she had never been bullied, even during quaterly performance debates.
“I can never be bullied because I can stand up for myself. No MP has shown any signs of wanting to bully me ever since I got here. What I have discovered since I was here is that everyone has a different character and personality, but there is freedom of speech inside the House, which is why it can be hard to bully me,” she said. Shiselweni region MP Lindiwe Mamba also added that they had never felt inferior during debates. She said the male MPs were treating them like sisters and were helping them if they faced some challenges. She added that they were aware of the incident that happened during last week’s debates.
“I think it was an incident that happened just last week because we have never seen it before. We are always comfortable debating and also making our submissions without feeling discriminated,” she said.
Manzini region MP Thandeka Mavuso said she was never bullied since she was sworn-in.
She said she was one person who could stand up for herself. She said it was her first time seeing such and hearing about bullying inside the House.
She said the male MPs supported them in most instances, which was why they were comfortable during debates.
“They are easy to talk to as they are like our brothers. It was honestly my first time hearing about bullying incidents inside the chamber,” she said.
Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga, when engaged on the issue, said he was aware of what transpired during the debate, but stated the MPs had made peace. He said no MP had ever reported any form of bullying or abuse inside the House of Assembly.
He, however, stated that they had robust debates as MPs, but they were nothing personal.
“I do not think that this was personal. Bullying is against Parliament standing orders and there is a way that MPs need to behave while inside the chamber,” he said.
According to Parliament Standing Order 71, which speaks about the rules for members, a member was not expected to interrupt another while he/she is addressing the House.
Standing order 64 states that a member who desires to speak shall rise, be uncovered, and address the speaker, or, in committee, the chairman. Subsection 2 of this standing order states that every member shall make obeisance to the chair and shall be uncovered when passing to and from the seat the member occupies.
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