05 Nov 2019

Boteti West MP, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has made a comeback as vice president of Botswana after being elected by 42 out of the 57 elected members of National Assembly November 5.

 There was one vote against, 14 abstentions while one member was formally exempted from voting.

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as ex-officio Member of Parliament participated in the voting process which excluded the six Specially Elected MPs.

The vice president was nominated by President Masisi in accordance with section 39 (1) of the Constitution which  stipulates qualifications for appointment to the number two office including that the appointee should be an MP who is a citizen by birth or decent.

Mr Tsogwane retains the vice presidency having served in the position since April 2018 when President Masisi assumed the presidency.

Meanwhile Parliament has also elected and sworn-in Mr Phandu Skelemani as speaker of the house.

Fourty-eight MPs voted for Mr Skelemani, two against while 13 abstained from voting.

Following his appointment, Mr Skelemani commended members of the 12th Parliament for emerging victorious in what he termed a highly contested election.

He said it was humbling that the dispensation was done in a democratic manner.

Mr Skelemani has previously served as senior state counsel rising through the ranks to the level of Attorney General before venturing into politics. He was elected Francistown East MP and served as minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration and later as minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

As an MP, he represented Botswana in the Pan-African Parliament.

Meanwhile MP for Mochudi East Mr Mabuse Pule has been elected and sworn-in as deputy speaker of Parliament. He was voted for by 46 members with 15 abstentions and one against.

A former civil servant, Mr Pule’s  civil service career spans 32 years. He served as director of National Registration and Immigration for 11 years. ENDS