14 Mar 2022

The supreme law of the land must replace the Office of the Ombudsman with that of a Public Protector.

Ms Thandiwe Mphinyane who is the Village Extension Team (VET) chairperson for Leshibitse said this Monday during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into Review of the Constitution of Botswana in Artesia.

She proposed the Public Protector should be fully armed with executive powers to make decisively make pronouncements on public matters.

Ms Motlalemetsi Marogwe who spoke on behalf of the people of Kgomodiatshaba called for repeal of Section 41 of the constitution, which offers protection of a sitting president immunity from litigation.

A sitting president, she said, should as a matter of principle face the music if deemed to be on the wrong side of the law.

Moreover, Ms Marogwe proposed the establishment of a code of conduct for parliament, which she said was bereft of any semblance of order.

So serious was the situation that the house had become a laughing stock and a shame to the general public.

State media, she said further, should run as an independent entity away from the clutch and influence of the government.

Mr Kabelo Reetsang proposed a mandatory 10-year review period for the constitution, saying it took too long to do the all-important exercise.

Another speaker, Mr Nfele Molebatsi wanted the constitution to make sure that people vying for the position of president declared their assets prior to election.

Mr Molefi Modibe wanted the right to land, health, and education to form an integral part of constitutional rights for citizens. 

“The constitution also has to stipulate in clear terms the time allotted to develop freehold land,” he said, adding that chunks of freehold land lay idle while scores of scores of Batswana remained without land.

The law, he said, had to allow for repossession of undeveloped freehold land after 10-years. ends