Women rights groups call on MP Hikuama to apologise
Women rights organisation, Emang Basadi has called on Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngami Constituency Caterpillar Hikuama to apologise wholeheartedly to Specially-Elected MP, Beauty Manake for saying she cannot be raped by anyone.
A few days ago during the ongoing debate on consideration of the constitution amendment bill (Bill No 4 of 2024), Hikuama joked that he does not believe Manake can be raped because she is always 'bragging' of how strong she is and can defend herself against abusers.
He made the remarks while Manake was on the floor making her submissions on amending laws to ensure stiffer punishment when dealing with rapists as they destroy the future of minors.
She said, “Koore le nna hela ha nka reipiwa ke le kana, trauma yame ga e kake ya thola e hela, now imagine ngwana yo monnyenyane yo eleng gore ga itire sepe abo a tsamaa aya go reipiwa,” - loosely translated to, 'even at my age, if I get raped, I will be traumatised, now think of a small defenceless child getting raped?'
Following her statement, there were murmurs in Parliament as MPs were reacting Hikuama's response to Manake. It was at that point that Minister of State President Kabo Morwaeng who is also MP for Molepolole South called for a point of order. He complained that Hikuama was out of line for saying that Manake cannot be raped by anyone.
Morwaeng said Hikuama’s response was tantamount to disrespect and abuse of women.
“Imagine the kind of message being relayed to women out there if Hikuama is able to say such to Manake,” Morwaeng said.
In his defense, Hikuama said Morwaeng was trying to tarnish his name in public.
“Nna ga ke ise ke bue dipuo tse di buiwang ke Morwaeng, se ke se buileng mo go Mma Manake kare, Mma Manake a nonohile jaana o ka reipiwa? A nonohile mo eleng gore le ene o ka betsa, le ene o arabile gore wa betsa jaanong o ka reipiwa jang a betsa? That is what I was referring to gore ene o thola a re tlhalosetsa gore wa betsa, that is the context of where I was coming from,” Hikuama clarified.
However, Vice President of Emang Basadi Virginia Masole says Hikuama should not have said such to Manake knowing well that rape is a sensitive and sour topic in the country.
"Even if a woman says she is strong, it does not mean they are immune to things such as rape. It can happen to anyone. This is why some women find it hard to open up because they get judged. He should apologise to Manake and retract those words," Masole said.
MP for Mogoditshane Tumiso Rakgare said rape was a very sensitive issue that needed to be treated delicately. He condemned Hikuama’s “recklessness,” saying Parliament should not condone his conduct.
Speaker of the House Phandu Skelemani urged MPs to be vigilant in speech and conduct themselves in accordance with their lofty positions especially since the public is watching. He acknowledged that Hikuama explained that he was only referring to Manake and not all women but whether Manake is strong and can beat her abusers, his remark was a “nasty one.”
James Baleseng of Women Against Rape, (W.A.R) Botswana, a women's rights organisation that primarily supports abused women and children, also described HIkuama's utterances as ‘out of line.’
Baleseng said even if Manake had in the past bragged about being strong enough to defend herself against abusers, the timing for Hikuama's remarks was inappropriate. In parliament, Manake was addressing serious issues of national concern and Hikuama should have known better than respond in the manner he did.
"When we meet with people who have been raped and ask why they did not report, they always say that they feared being judged or asked what they were wearing and where they were going when the incident happened. They know that once they share those details, the blame shifts to them," Baleseng said.