11 Aug 2013

Maun West MP Tawana Moremi has tabled a motion calling for parliament to set a time limit for the president’s assents.

Presenting his motion on  August 9, MP Moremi said currently there is no time frame in which the president must sign bills passed in parliament into law.

He said when the president withdraws his assents, there is nothing binding him to brief parliament and can therefore take his time.

Lobatse MP Nehemiah Modubule supported the motion saying the period should be stipulated in the Constitution.

However, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi pointed out that Section 87, sub section 4, spells out the time limit, to which MP Modubule said it talks about where the president has returned the bill to parliament.

MP Modubule said parliament is given six months to pass the bill.

He said although MP Moremi has left the time to be decided by parliament, he suggests 21 days.

For his part, Molepolole South MP Daniel Kwelagobe said nothing has ever happened to raise alarm as no president has failed to assent.

To this, MP Modubule on a point of clarification said they should rather not be reactive but proactive saying the amendment was not targeting a specific president but rather, for the future.

Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsis said the motion was welcomed as it geared towards improving efficiency and productivity.

He said nothing binds the president to assent as such he or she can take long especially when opposed to the bill passed by parliament. ENDS