23 Jul 2017

Parliament has voted against a motion tabled by Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, which called for a review in the Constitution of Botswana.

When presenting the motion, Mr Keorapetse acknowledged the drafters of the current constitution and its role in moulding the country’s democracy, but emphasised that the motion was more focused on cumulating the country’s democracy.  

He said democracy was a continuum, which like a tree, needed to be nourished and watered to ensure its democratic consolidation.

He said the 1963 to 1964 constitutional talks in Lobatse were dominated by colonial masters and chiefs and few representation of political parties as there were only two political parties then.

The 1965 constitution, he said was a template constitution, which was given to Batswana by the then colonial masters, adding that it cannot be referred to a public policy as it does not reflect divergent views of various members of the society.

The motion to review the country’s constitution, he said, presents an opportunity to legitimise the constitution and empowers Batswana to have ownership to their own constitutionas they were not fully involved in the constitution draft in the colonial days.

“The current entire constitution legitimacy cannot be ascertained because the majority of Batswana did not participate in establishing it, therefore it should amended to include all Batswana,” he said.

He therefore called for Parliament to establish a constitution review commission that would traverse the entire country and get ideas on what should be infused in the constitution.

When contributing to the debate, Gaborone Boningnton North legislator and leader of opposition, Mr Duma Boko affirmed need to review the constitution, highlighting that the review of the constitution would also cater for the voices of all Batswana, hence enrich the country’s democracy.

Mr Boko stated that the constitutional review would include certain institutions of oversight and ensure that they carry out their duties without and outside impeders.

For his part, Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi dismissed the need to have a constitution review, indicating that the current constitution has the interest of Batswana at heart and has served the country well since the years of independence.

He said the review of the constitution in the manner proposed by the mover only took place during the regime change process, hence it was unnecessary for the current government to consider reviewing the constitution.

He said a complete constitution overhaul was unnecessary as Batswana had demonstrated faith in their constitution. ENDS