26 Jul 2016

 Vice President and leader of the house, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi says the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2016 that seeks to increase the number of specially elected Members of Parliament(MP's) from four to six was long overdue because the economy of the country was continuing to grow in size, calling for balance in skills expertise to manage a complex economy.

Contributing to the debate on the bill on Monday, Mr Masisi who is also the MP for Moshupa, said the increase in specially elected MPs does not have any bearing on elected MPs as they do not represent any constituency, nor reverse the results of the 2014 general elections.

Mr Masisi countered sentiments from opposition members that the ruling party back bench was not valued, and that it was the reason why there should be specially elected MPs. 

He said the ruling party valued its back bench as it strengthened parliamentary debates; hence it could not be dissolved to form part of cabinet.

The MP for Sefhare-Ramokgonami, Ms Dorcus Makgato said she supported the bill because it was high time some ministries with huge portfolios such as education and minerals, energy and water resources were divided into two.

“The education ministry is one such ministry that deserves to be cut into two looking at its scope of work. Also the level of growth in the minerals, energy and water resources, in other countries it is cut into three especially looking at the scope of work, growth and challenges in the minerals and water sectors,” she said.

She said when she was Minister of Trade and Industry she battled with dealing with about five counterparts in neighbouring countries, who their Ministry of Trade was divided into SSME development, international trade, investment, cooperatives and regional integration.

“The same applies to energy minister who deals with two to three counterparts from one ministry,” she said. 

Ms Makgato said whenever organisations grow, changes were bound to happen and said she wondered why some MPs were sceptical about such changes.

Ms Makgato further advocated that the two specially elected should be women, adding that Botswana should emulate developed countries who elect women into power, adding that when women were at the helm there was a huge difference in terms of growth and development.

The MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu said he supports the bill because population increase meant there should be an increase in MPS. He said some ministries were too loaded with responsibilities and should be divided to increase their effectiveness.

The MP for Tlokweng, Ms Same Bathobakae opposed the bill, saying the special election of MP’s has lost meaning to augment for missing skills in Parliament, and that  it was meant to increase the ruling party’s numerical strength. She said the amendment would be welcome if it elected members from both isles and put into consideration the youth, people with disabilities and women into Parliament.

She said women in opposition, like their counterparts in the ruling party, also possessed skills that were needed in Parliament and that they should not be overlooked for such appointments. 

The MP for Gaborone South, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi supported the bill, but said the constitution should have been amended to increase constituencies and not only specially elected members in order to increase members of Parliament.

He said the increase of MPs would enhance the productivity of back bench MPs, who he said were few on the ground. 

Mr Molatlhegi also suggested that the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism should be divided into two to enhance its productivity in job creation as it was one such ministry which was capable of creating job opportunities in the green collar sector, given the chance.

Gaborone Central MP, Dr Phenyo Butale said the idea to increase members does not serve the purpose to augment skills as suggested, but instead it was meant to oppress those in the minority in Parliament in order to pass draconian laws based on numerical strength.

He said he consulted his electorates about the bill and they rejected it.

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignitious Moswaane supported the bill, saying it was meant to enhance the back bench that has few MPs to scrutinise any loopholes in Parliament.

Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy said his constituents were against the bill to increase specially elected MPs. 

He suggested that there should be a referendum to take the opinion of the electorates.

He said Francistown City electorates were hard hit by unemployment because of closure of mines, and that the increase in MPs would increase the unnecessary wage bill that could be used to create job opportunities.

The MP for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana said he disapproved the idea to bring non-politicians into Parliament.Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraele Goya said Batswana voted MPs according to their interests and overlooked certain expertise needed in the economy, hence it was important to vote specially elected MPs to augment certain skills

The MP for Mochudi West, Gilbert Mangole opposed the bill, saying it should have long been tabled after the delimitation exercise upon realisation that there was shortage and wondered  why the bill was brought now, suggesting that it was a move by the government to neutralise  the opposition as it has grown. Ends