03 Jul 2014

The winter session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday, July 2.

At the commencement of business, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse presented three government bills, which went through the first reading. 

The first bill was the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Bill, which provides for the prohibition of the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer and use of chemical weapons and other matters incidental thereto.

He also presented the Forensic Procedures Bill that provides for the procedures for obtaining forensic material, the retention, storage and disposal of forensic material and the use of forensic material for scientific analysis during criminal or other investigations, the establishment of National DNA database system and National DNA database Advisory Board and connected matters.

And the minister presented the Anti-Human Trafficking Bill,  which gives effect to the United Nations Protocol to prevent suppress and punish trafficking in persons, to provide for prohibition, prevention and combating of human trafficking, to provide for measures to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons and other matters incidental thereto.

During the ministers question time on July 4, the  Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo is expected to respond to Shoshong MP, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele’s question on the reliability of the Government Accounting and Budget System (GABS).

Some of the motion expected to be debated include feasibility study on the possibilities of introducing sitting allowance for parents teachers associations by Mr Makgalemele, signing and ratification of the SADC Gender Protocol by Francistown West MP, Dr Habaudi Hobona, commission of enquiry to investigate allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development by Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi and changes to legislation that bars allocation of plots to beneficiaries of deceased applicants also by Mr Mmolotsi.

The house is expected to carry on normal business until President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama exercise powers conferred upon him by Section 91(2) of the Constitution to dissolve Parliament. 

A general election of the elected members of the assembly shall be held within 60 days of the date of the dissolution and a session of Parliament shall be appointed to commence within 30 days of the date of that general election. ENDS