08 Apr 2020

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development Mr Mpho Balopi says Botswana Democratic Party would support all stop gap measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adfdressing a media briefing after a general assembly preceding an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly to be convened today, Mr Balopi who is also secretary general of the BDP said legislators had a brief account of the devastating effects of the novel corona-virus and shared views and plans to mitigate the scourge going forward.

He said government was committed to ensuring food security and mitigate job loses to its citizens in the midst of the dreaded pandemic.

Mr Balopi said they were in full support of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi's plea for Parliament to endorse the request to extend the state of emergency period as a way of stepping up efforts to deal with the corona-virus.

He applauded President Masisi's efforts in dealing with the problem of the pandemic.

For his part, the Leader of Opposition and Umbrella or Democratic Change (UDC) vice president, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, said they were in full agreement with the devastating consequences of the pandemic but  would not agree with the request to extend the state of emergency period to six months.

He said the Emergency Powers Act would equip President Masisi with absolute powers, which was an extreme measure that was unnecessary.

Furthermore, he said there were other means to restrict movement in accordance with social distancing regulations.

Mr Saleshando said he intended to meet with President Masisi and the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane to fully appreciate their intent in the request.

Mr Saleshando advised the BDP led government to consider inclusive governance, which allowed for consultation. ENDS