03 Apr 2022

Parliament has rejected a motion seeking urgent debate of the Bill on remuneration of Members of the National Assembly, Councillors, Specified Offices and Members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.
The motion was presented by Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng recently.

Mr Morwaeng said the objective of the Bill was to establish a Standing Committee for remuneration of Members of the National Assembly, Councillors, Specified Offices, Members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, and for matters connected therewith. After presenting the Bill for first reading, the minister, through a motion, wanted it to proceed as a matter of urgency in accordance with Standing Order 72.3.
He explained that MPs were aware of the Bill since it was not the first time it was brought to Parliament and it had gone through all the relevant stages.

He said the Bill was previously withdrawn from Parliament for further consultations, saying such consultations were now complete.
“The Bill was published on March 25, 2022. Even though it has not reached its maturity, it is not new to MPs,” he said.

Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando argued that there were no reasons for the Bill to be debated urgently, saying the public and civil society should be afforded the opportunity to scrutinise it like it was the norm with others.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga said since the Bill had been gazetted before, it was proper for it to be debated on certificate of urgency. Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, however, said, “There is no need for this Bill to come to Parliament on certificate of urgency because there is nothing urgent about it.”

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said there was a need to establish a standing committee on remuneration of the said officers. He however asked the minister to withdraw proposal for urgent debate of the Bill.

With majority of MPs opposing it, the motion was defeated. ENDS