05 Mar 2017

The Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Gladys Kokorwe has implored Members of Parliament to remain committed to their constituents’ aspirations.
This follows the premature end of Parliament business on March 3 after quorum collapsed with only 13 MPs in Parliament.
The Speaker said MPs should always remember that it is the general public who voted them to represent them in parliament and therefore they should put their interests first.
Parliament had only addressed two questions from Specially Elected MPs Bogolo Kenewendo and Mephato Reatile.
MP Kenewendo had asked the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry to brief parliament about the impact of the reservation policy in the retail sector on the economy of Botswana.
MP Reatile had asked the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security when he intended to abolish Botswana Meat Commission monopoly to allow other players in the beef sector to compete in the international market.
The Friday’s Order Paper had 63 motions but none of them were debated as neither the movers nor the ministers responsible were present.
Ms Kokorwe called upon MPs and ministers to be always ready even if their motions appeared last on the order paper.
The first motion which was expected to be presented comes from the Gaborone Central MP Dr Phenyo Butale which requested government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the ever plummeting education results across the country’s educational system.
Dr Butale had previously introduced the motion and was expected to continue but was away on an official international trip.
This being the case, MP Setlhomo Lelatisitswe of Boteti East was the next MP to present his motion according to the order paper.
Other MPs who had notified motions are, Molepolole South MP Dr Tlamelo Mmatli, Selebi Phikwe West MP Dithapelo Keorapetse, Kenewendo, Mr Gen.Pius Mokgware of Gabane-Mmankgodi, Nata/Gweta MP Polson Majaga, Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP Shawn Ntlhaile and Francistown East MP Buti Billy. ENDS