27 Mar 2022

 The ongoing consultative meeting by the Commission of Inquiry into Review of the constitution will further entrench peace and tranquillity. 

Paramount Chief of Basubiya, Kgosi Lawrence Liswaani Sinvula III made the remarks during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Commission in Kavimba on Friday. 

He thus lauded President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for appointing the commission saying it enhance the harmonious existence Botswana’s different tribes. 

That being the case, Kgosi Sinvula III relayed his deep concern about Sections 78 and 79 of the supreme law of the land saying they were not in synch with Section 15. 

He said the two pieces of legislation promoted discrimination. 

To this end, Kgosi Sinvula III submitted that the constitution should emphatically recognise dikgosi-kgolo of all tribes as equals and remunerate them at the same salary scale. 

On others, Kgosi Sinvula III called on the constitution to bar any kgosi who joined politics from returning to chieftaincy. 

He would rather have the law empower the institution of bogosi, to encourage dikgosi to stay within the institution. 

Kgosi Joesephat Mwezi concurred and stated the commission was not only a welcome development but was also long-overdue. 

 

“The current constitution e re jeseditse mo kgobedung, e re runtshitse dilo dile di ntsi thata,” he said. 

 

His argument was that in its present form the constitution had cause his tribe to lose out on many opportunities, and that it was oppressive. 

Kgosi Mzwezi passionately expressed his disdain for the notion of major and minor tribes. 

“It is my cry, it is my prayer on behalf of be Kuhane that you pass on our plight and submissions as they are to the President. A go baakanngwe seemo se ese setswe diatleng,”he said, as he implored the commissioners for rectification of the law while time allowed. 

Mr Samuel Tshekonyane who spoke on behalf of the people of Kavimba said the law should ensure that all paramount chiefs earned the same salary, and that dikgosi should report directly to the Office of the President as opposed to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. 

 He also said the constitution should allow for corporal punishment on the bare-back of both men and women up to the age of 50. 

“Le ha ese Ngwao a Bomme le ba betswe,” he said noting that bad behaviour had gone haywire even amongst women within the society.  

He also called for erection of a cordon fence to protect ploughing fields from wild animals. 

Mr Tshekonyane was also not pleased with stringent laws governing Chobe National Park, which he said went against freedom of movement. 

Mr Tedius Yamvwa of Mabele said the constitution of the land should strive for direct election of the President and that protection of immunity clause enjoyed by a sitting president must be removed. 

Mr Machama Marumo said the supreme law of the land should ensure that those vying for council and parliament had Junior secondary certificate and a Diploma as minimum qualifications. 

“Include in the constitution a recall clause for non-performing representatives and do away with nominated councillors and MP’s,” he said. 

Mr George Sanyumba was also of the view that people who committed heinous offences such as murder should be denied bail. 

Mr Steven Samunzala wanted the constitution to make sure that the President left the responsibility to announce the date of the national elections to the Secretary of the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC). 

“The president is a player and cannot therefore be the referee. 

That responsibility should be left to the secretary of IEC,” he said. ENDS