04 Apr 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is scheduled to address an emergency meeting of the National Assembly on Wednesday morning.

This meeting will be convened subsequent to proclamation of the State of Public Emergency and in accordance with National Assembly Standing Order 24.1.

Botswana Democratic Party chief whip, Mr Liakat Kablay, said in an kinterview that prior to the Wednesday meeting, the ruling party legislators would convene a caucus on Monday.

He said following the caucus meeting, there would be a general assembly for all legislators on Tuesday in order to pave way for the National Assembly meeting.

Mr Kablay said the meeting would enable Parliament to discuss duration of the State of Public Emergency.

Opposition Whip, Mr Pono Moatlhodi, said the Parliament meeting was a welcome development because following the State of Public Emergency declaration, members should convene to discuss it from both isles.

“It is in good standing for him to convene the National Assembly so that Parliament authorises the duration sufficient to fight the pandemic that we find ourselves in,” he said.

Minority party representative, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, said constitutionally it was right for President Masisi to convene Parliament because when a state of emergency is declared, Parliament should convene within a reasonable time to give the President a go-ahead to extend the period.

Efforts to contact the National Assembly did not bear any fruit.

President Masisi recently declared a State of Public Emergency subsequent to Section 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana, which empowers the President to declare a State of Public Emergency at any time. Ends