01 Mar 2015

Parliament adjourned business prematurely on February 27  after the Speaker denied permission for an MP to table an urgent motion.

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane had attempted to convince the deputy speaker, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi to allow him table an urgent motion regarding alleged maladministration and loss of employment by some employees of Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC).

However, Mr Molatlhegi denied permission on the basis that the motion had not reached the office of speaker on time for decision to be made whether it could be debated urgently or not. Mr Molatlhegi, who apologised, said there was mistake in how the motion was handled by staff, resulting in it failing to reach the speaker on time.

The deputy speaker, therefore, wanted the business of Parliament to continue as indicated in the order paper. However, Mr Moswaane, supported by several opposition MPs, was defiant that the motion should be debated. He said it surprised him how the motion delayed in reaching the speaker while he had noticed it on February 18. 

He saidt it would be irresponsible for Parliament to remain silent on a matter of public importance. “If Parliament fails to address this issue now, the nation will lose confidence in us,” the Botswana Democratic Party MP said.

Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale and Good Hope- Mabule MP, Mr James Mathokgwane, urged the deputy speaker to rule for the motion to be debated, but Mr Molatlhegi insisted it would not be procedural. Ultimately the motion was not debated, leading Mr Moswaane to promptly defer 14 other motions by him appearing on the order paper. 

He claimed that he was not in a good state to table the motions. Twenty-five motions were deferred in total, leaving the deputy speaker with no other option apart from asking Leader of the House, Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, to move for adjournment of business with more than two hours remaining. ENDS