Political manoeuvring is a robust business at the best of times, but in a civilised, democratic society it must never cross the line of sacrificing respectability and integrity to gain one-upmanship.
An appropriate term is “conduct unbecoming” – meaning conduct morally unfitting and unworthy, rather than merely inappropriate or unsuitable.
That is why last Thursday’s behaviour of elected leaders at the KwaDukuza municipality council meeting – which ended in a brawl – can only be described as deplorable.
Briefly, for the benefit of readers who may not be aware of the circumstances leading up to the fracas, opposition parties were lobbying in the days prior to mobilise a coalition for a vote of no confidence in the mayor, deputy-mayor, speaker and chief whip – in effect shifting the power base away from the ANC.
As can be expected, tensions were no doubt in much higher gear than usual with such a major power play at stake when proceedings got under way. Vigorous debate was a given and nobody expected anything less.
That’s the nature of the political beast, but what citizens do not appreciate is for their local government leaders – people supposedly of high standing among whom intellectual deliberation should be a premium – to abandon all decorum and turn to emotional juvenile insults and playground scuffling to settle differences.
Surely we are better than that. There are processes in place, so get done with it, accept when battles are lost, and move on.
The unfortunate side effect of constant political bickering – and yes, it is not unique to KwaDukuza – is the often inordinate amount of energy and time spent on lobbying and petty disputes at the cost of the real purpose of leaders’ functions – serving the people to the best of their ability.
In our region alone there are a plethora of unattended matters that need prioritising, and one would rather have elected leaders applying their minds and time to getting the important work done instead of scurrying around undermining all and sundry to appease personal agendas or power groups.
On a lighter note, there comes a time in council chambers – or provincial or national assemblies – when politicians need to crack the whip to put pesky opponents in their place.
But cheap insults show a lack of class, so they must at least be erudite about it.
I hold forth well-known examples of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the master of put-downs.
Responding to an insult by MP Bessie Braddock who said to him: “Winston, you are drunk, and what’s more you are disgustingly drunk,” Churchill shot back: “My dear, you are ugly, and what’s more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly.”
On another occasion, the first female British MP Nancy Astor heckled Churchill: “If I were married to you, I’d put poison in your coffee.” To which he replied: “If I were married to you, I’d drink it.”
And finally, describing Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee, he said: “A modest man, who has much to be modest about.”
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