15 Feb 2022

The nineth day of the Presidential Commission of Enquiry for the Review of the Constitution of Botswana saw interest groups from Lentsweletau and neighboring settlements coming forth to share their thoughts on the constitution and how they would want to see it improved. 

Among the speakers was Mr Royal Mmereki who raised concerns about the extent at which corruption was growing in the country. 

Mr Mmereki said it was worrisome that perpetrators were left to roam about without being prosecuted. 

He said it was as if the legal system was wearied by corruption as often people who did corruption goyt away with lots of money that could have been used to bring developments and help alleviate poverty. 

Mr Mmereki argued that the courts took time to listen to corruption cases. He therefore submitted that an arrangement for special courts be set to deal decisively with issues of corruption. 

He added that these special courts should be given seasoned magistrates with above average expert abilities. Furthermore, he submitted that Botswana Police Services and Department of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) should have their duties well defined and segregated within the constitution. 

Representing Red Cross was Ms Mmangaka Gaborone who said set laws and regulations for Village Development Committees (VDCs) were outdated and therefore, proposed that these guidelines be enhanced in the amended constitution. 

Ms Gaborone requested that VDCs should appoint professional and qualified personnel that had set for an interview before panel adjudicators, which comprised the village Kgosi, in order to drive its mandate instead of appointing people that were voted in to office by the public. 

When presenting on behalf of church ministers association Ms Sisi Mere urged the commission to consider including ministerial assemblies in the amended constitution, citing that this was meant for recognition and definition of their roles in the society. 

Speaking to the responsibilities bestowed on members of parliament, Mr Albert Kgetsi suggested that MPs should focus on exercising duties vested on them by the public and refrain from obtaining extra governmental positions such as the role of a Minister as its has now become a hindrance in affording them time to serve the interest of their communities/voters. 

Regarding the issue of land, Mr Kgetsi submitted that land board should hire permanent and qualified employees to strictly focus on land allocation related matters with severe scrutiny. “…eseng ba ele gore ba tlhophiwa mme tlhopho ya bone e sekametse ka fa se polotiking,” meaning that those appointed ought to be outside political influences. 

Mr Kgetse opposed the involvement of Dikgosi in issues of land allocation as this that was a specialised area. 

He concurred that Dikgosi did have authority and recognition within their tribes, and that they could be invited to assist when need arose. 

Mr Issac Kgabo submitted there was a land allocation delay where a lot of people had been denied the opportunity to be allocated land where they had wished to be allocated. 

He said land policies and authorities in place had made it even worse for them to be allocated land. 

Mr Kgabo said Dikgosi had been given enough powers and he felt they should be withdrawn from land allocation rights. Mr Fred Leririma, called for equal representation of merafe at Ntlo ya Dikgosi. He also suggested that the amended constitution should abolish same sex marriages. ends