05 Jul 2015

Winter Parliament session starts on Monday, July 6 and is scheduled to end on or around August 7.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms Barbara Dithapo said in an interview that the third meeting of the first session of the eleventh was very important as it primarily focused on legislature.

Ms Dithapo said they were expecting 55 private members motions to be presented, out of 45 had been carried over from the April Parliament sitting while 10 were new.

She said there would be 10 questions out which three were carried over from the previous sitting. 

Meanwhile, members are likely to raise topical issues during question time on issues of national concern such as the power situation and the recently announced drought and household food security outlook.

It is also expected that Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu would table before the house, the Trade and Disputes Bill.

The Bill provides for the settlement of trade disputes by the Commissioner of Labour, who is also the chairperson of the panel of mediators and arbitrators.

It further continues the Industrial Court as a court of law and equity and the court’s jurisdiction to, among other things, interdict unlawful industrial action, hear appeals and reviews from decisions of mediators or arbitrators.

Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo is expected to table Insurance Industry Bill which proposes to regulate insurance companies.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia would probably table the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Bill which seeks to provide for continuation of the Botswana College of Agriculture, which was established under the name Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

Continuation of the college includes disassociation of the college from the University of Botswana to make it an independent entity. 

It also provides for a university governance structure which would include, among others, principal officers, the council and the senate.

Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele is expected to table the Land Policy Bill. The Bill had already been gazetted.

It seeks to protect and promote land rights of all landholders and promote sustainable human settlements as well as improve allocation through establishing an up-to-date land information management system.

Defence, Justice and Security minister, Mr Shaw Kgathi is expected to present Private Security Services Bill.

The Bill seeks to repeal and re-enact with amendments the Control of Security Guard Services Act.

It also provides for establishment of a licensing board which shall among others, issue licenses to operate private security services as well as setting a code of conduct for the private security services industry.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse is expected to table the Special Economic Zones Bill. 

The Bill, which had also been gazetted, seeks to establish the Special Economic Zones Authority responsible for creating special economic zones as geographically distinct economic areas, providing as investor-friendly business environment that would make Botswana the most preferred location for both domestic and foreign investment and providing confidence to investors.

Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale is also expected to table the Whistleblowing Bill.

The Bill, which had been gazetted, seeks to provide for the manner in which a person may, in the public interest, disclose information adverse to the public interest. ENDS