30 Mar 2022

 The constitution should allow for appointment of the deputy speaker of the National Assembly outside Parliament to promote smooth running of Parliament’s business. 

A resident of Maun, Mr Thomas Kahunga said when making submissions before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Review of the constitution at Batawana main kgotla yesterday.

The move, he said, would also maintain the independence and authority of the National Assembly, take the burden off appointed MPs as well as enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary debate. 

Mr Kahunga revealed that the current arrangement where the deputy speaker was elected from among legislators was not healthy for Parliament as it could compromise the quality of debate. 

“Ga re batle seemo se se diragalang sa gomopieno re bona mothusa motsamaisa dipuisanyo tsa palamente a nna a pota ka fa go akgela a bo a boela mo setilong sa botsamaisi gape,” he said. 

The deputy speaker is appointed in terms of Section 60 of the constitution which states that he/she shall to be elected from among the persons who are members of the National Assembly. 

Mr Kingsley Paul said the constitution should also ensure that specially elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and nominated councillors are appointed from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as people with disability for them to advocate the interests of the disabled community. 

He further stated that the constitution should allow for recalling of non-performing MPs and councilors. 

Some political leaders, he said, were failing their electorate as they put their interests first ahead of voters. 

Such people should be replaced by those who would genuinely represent the aspirations of the voter. 

Mr Paul who is living with disability also stressed that people living with disabilities should all benefit from available programmes and services designed for disabled members of the society. 

Mr Jack Ramsden suggested that the President should appoint cabinet ministers outside Parliament and do away with appointment of specially elected MPs. 

The constitution, he said, should also include a clause discouraging Batswana from selling their land especially agricultural land. 

This, he said, would address some conflicts that grew directly out of competition for land.

He further stated that if someone failed to develop or utilise allocated land, the land board should repossess it and allocate to serious people who could effectively utilise it. 

Mr Ramsden also decried the rising incidents of defilement, and proposed that perpetrators should be sentenced to death. 

Mr Walter Machao suggested that there should be a referendum before a decision to list any site as a World Heritage Site could be taken. 

Mr Seoka Kenosi called for an Impeachment Act which would facilitate the impeachment of high ranking public officers including a sitting president. 

The act, he said, was effectively used in other countries. 

He added the power to impeach served as the first step in an important check on the executive and judicial branches of government regarding violations of law and abuses of power. 

Ms Kamogelo Mombala called for revival of regiments to join forces with traditional leaders to curb juvenile delinquency. Historically, she said, traditional leaders with the help of the regiments served as governors of their communities with authority over all aspects of life. 

“Re kopa molao o re thuse go tshosolosa mephata e e ka kagalemang lenyatso le botlhokatsebe jo bo ileng magoiletsa mo motseng. 

Boitaolo bo ile bana ko tlhogong ba tsogela mo dipotong,” she said. BOPA