The continuing grotesque caricaturing of that august office of the Speaker of the parliament of the URT would irk even the most austere mannered observers.
That a speaker would not only ineloquently disgrace his chair, but do so in repeated shameful frenzies, within the space of a few days, and apparently with all the proud pomposity of an unchecked sadist rural headmaster berserkly drunk with power, begs the question on whether true democracy is served in our parliament.
Moreover, his unfortunate, if not downright partisan remarks about the opposition MPs, not only exposes his ignorance of his arbitrating role, but sheds light on his lack of grace, character, impartiality, integrity, knowledge and a knack for compromise.
In a parliament that is so one sided by the sheer number of CCM members, the Speaker being from CCM, only a fool like Speaker Sitta would feel threatened and overreact in this way. I have never witnessed a Speaker so hellbent on dictating -without as much as providing the statutory stipulation guiding him - as Samuel Sitta. Compared to Pius Msekwa, Msekwa seems like a gentleman and a scholar.
But the greater tragedy tham Sitta is the status quo -including if not led by CCM members- allowing this hegemony of Draconian heavyhandedness, the uncalled for stigmatization and unfounded stereotyping, as long as it is directed towards the opposition.Parliamentary business is now conducted in the most shoddy way, one would be excused to envy the grace displayed in the conducts of football rivarlies -Simba vs Yanga, and wish our parliament could at least rise to that level.
One need not a degree in law or PR to note that Speaker Siatta does not set an example of abiding by the very same stipulation he is so quick to decree. I believe in the right of expression, and an MP as a representative of the people should have protection from Orwellian orangutangs and Ottomanlike ombudsmen like Sitta.
One of these days we may even witness what went down in the South Korean parliament, a pure parliament fist fight.Then maybe some people will learn not to play "Keeper of The Gate" too much when it comes to the people's interest.
Another sad day for the almost lost cause of Tanzanian democracy.