Dear Sir,
I wasn't going to make any more comment on this matter. However, given the elaborate commentary by Kenilorea Jnr, I've decided to take up the right of reply.

Firstly, the non-reference to section 51 [1] of the Constitution in my initial article was indeed intentional on my part.

The reason is clear. Parliament's motion generated a heated exchange by members of the public as evidenced by a number of letters published in the newspaper.

I simply weighed in to the argument, expressing my views which I believe to be important, given how precarious our nation's status in terms of law and order.

Public perception was and may still persist that the fairness of the law should be equally applied to other MPs who suffered Sir Allan Kemakeza's predicament.

It wasn't.

Omitting any reference to section 51 of the constitution was strategically tactical on my part. I want the custodians of the Constitution to answer to the public for their action.

I bet if I had not raised the issues in the first place, community misgivings and respect for Parliament as an institution would only deepen.

Kenilorea Jnr's explanation, coupled with commentary by others, appears to have contributed to easing public perception on the matter.

It is important to note that regardless of what standpoint one subscribes to in this debate, I am glad my initial commentary had provided a platform for members of the public to engage in the debate.

I am sure that by pariticpating in the debate, they must have felt a sense of belonging and connectivity to Parliament in a long while.

Selective application was employed in my other postings on this website because, as a bushman from Kwaio, with limited word power in the english vocabulary, I could think of no better description.

In my view, it's the essence of the matter at hand, particularly when one takes the approach to one case and weighs it against the other in terms of applying section 51.

All in all, I sincerely believe the public has benefitted from the discussion because one man took the risk of raising issues that would normally get swept under the carpet.

It reminds of an anecdote I read some time ago of one Thomas Eddison. It says something like, millions saw an apple fell, but only one man asked why".

Today, we know of a force called gravity because one man dared ask why.

We wouldn't be flying today, otherwise.

Alfred Sasako