09 Dec 2020

Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana says the proposed Constitution amendment Bill, if passed by Parliament, will deprive legislators their freedom of association.

Contributing to the ongoing debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Nkawana said the intention of the proposed Constitution (amendment) Bill, 2020 (Bill No.14 of 2020) was all about self-preservation by the ruling party, which had a long history of proposing laws for self satisfaction and gratification.

He cited the automatic succession plan that he said was hatched by BDP leadership for their interests.

He said the motion, which was tabled then, did not suit the interest of the current times.

Mr Nkawana said even those who were consulted then did not know what the future held.

He, therefore, called for proper consultation, adding that Botswana needed progressive legislation that would protect workers, youth and Batswana businesses.

He said Parliament needed to hasten legislation that would economically empower citizens.

He observed that it would be interesting to see Parliament discussing the ease of doing business as native citizens rather than rushed bills that were unfair.

He said waiting for 22 years for the amendment was an indication that it was a piecemeal approach.

He agreed with those who feared that there were hidden agendas behind the presentation of the Constitution amendment.

He said when the Consultation was made back then, the level of literacy was a bit low as compared to the present times, where there was a luxury to engage technology for better results.

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development Mr Mpho Balopi said the Bill as presented was a chance to safeguard the interests of voters.

Mr Balopi, who is also MP for Gaborone North, said it was a carefully crafted piece of legislation that reflected the honesty of representatives.

He said the BDP followed laid down procedure on the suspension or expulsion of its members as opposed to what many from the opposing isle said.

Mr Balopi said as legislators, they should be seen to be trustworthy.

He said the BDP was a united front and had been welcoming new members and letting others go.

It was on this basis that he said the Bill was brought to the House on the interest of the voters.  

For his part, MP for Okavango Mr Kenny Kapinga said the Bill should have been brought to the house with clean hands.

He said the presenter of the Bill had travelled full circle and there was no moral obligation behind his actions.

He likened the minister’s action to the Biblical damascene conversion.

He said the BDP had already vowed to recruit from the opposition and weaken it.

Mr Kapinga said other countries used the legislation to destabilise the peace and tranquillity to weaken the opposition.

He said BDP was in a way trying to destabilise and weaken opposition. Ends