01 Mar 2022

Parliament, like other arms of government, is independent, says Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng.

Responding to MPs’ concerns after the presentation of the financial year 2022/2023 proposed budget for the National Assembly on Monday, Mr Morwaeng said the independence of Parliament was unquestionable because it was able to carry out its core duty of making laws without any interference from either the judiciary or the executive.

He said the country was synonymous with political stability because all the three arms of government operated effectively.

Mr Morwaeng further explained that Parliament gave all MPs equal rights irrespective of their political affiliation, adding that they also had the freedom to express themselves without fear.

“We are all given the opportunity to come up with motions, questions and we are accorded the same amount of time to make comments,” he said.

He said the Leader of Opposition (LOO) led the minority in Parliament, therefore, he had the liberty to address legislators on any matter.

Mr Morwaeng said addressing kgotla meetings in his capacity as the LOO was not acceptable because all the 57 constituencies had their respective MPs who won elections under various political parties.

He also said the LOO was supposed to stick to his parliamentary duties and be accorded the respect he deserved.

On other issues, Mr Morwaeng informed MPs that the ongoing constitutional review consultations were for the whole nation, including political parties and the civil society.

On the budget proposal for Parliament, Mr Morwaeng said COVID-19 had adversely affected the government coffers and had to operate with a limited budget.

He said if Parliament was allocated sufficient budget then it was going to be easier to undertake all the projects that MPs desired.

He said the National Assembly was unable to provide transport for MPs at their respective constituencies, hence MPs were compelled to make a provision for their own transport.

Some MPs  argued that there was need for legislators to be provided with transport to enable them to address kgotla meetings in their respective constituencies.

Some MPs had also argued that the executive arm was interfering with the House’ proceedings, hence making it difficult for lawmakers, particularly those in the ruling party, to come up with motions.

Some also accused government of denying MPs the opportunity to participate in the ongoing constitutional review exercise by running Parliament session and the review exercise concurrently. Ends