07 Apr 2022

Yesterday scores of residents of Gumare, Nokaneng, Xangwa, Xaxa, Tubu, and Habu congregated at Gumare kgotla to air their views with regard the constitutional review.

As per the norm, Kgosi Moitshepi Molelwa started the ball rolling in his welcome remarks to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution  by highlighting the need to revive the institution of Bogosi, which he argued had been on the receiving end since the advent of political governance in 1966.

This, he observed, was in spite of the fundamental role the institution of Bogosi played during pre-independence.

“Bogosi is the bedrock upon which this country was founded but we have upon attaining independence as a nation-state relegated this paramount institution to the gutters,” he said.

He thus proposed for the recognition of this important institution that has knitted the country together for years on end by the supreme law of the land and that it be declared the fourth arm of governance after the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Furthermore, Kgosi Molelwa was exhilarated that the review of the constitution of Botswana was finally on-course thanks to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s visionary leadership.

Mr Brain Samoka who conveyed submissions of the people of Gumare proposed for the self-rule of institutions among them DIS, DCEC, Attorney Generals, BURS as well the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The status-quo whereby the above-mentioned institutions operated under the ambit of the Office of the President was the primary reason people continued to cast aspersion on their independence in their daily operations.

“We also propose for the establishment of a special court that will deal wholly with heinous acts such as murder, defilement, and many others,” he stated, adding that setting up such a court would help speed up the dispensation of justice. Mr Samoka relayed also that Gumare populace wanted the constitution to impose the use of different languages at schools and put emphasis on equality of all the tribes.

Land boards across the length and breadth of Botswana, he prayed should also bear tribally neutral names, something he stated would help keep at bay the possibility of unnecessary tensions that may spiral out of control in the future and disturb the serenity that Botswana had enjoyed over the years.

He advocated for political funding to curtail the possibility of getting the country mortgaged to criminal syndicates who would have bankrolled political campaigns for some political formations.

Mr Justice Nkaruka, who spoke on behalf of the people of Nokaneng proposed that the envisaged constitution should cut down on the powers bestowed upon the head of state.

He submitted for instance that the presidential immunity clause accorded the sitting President should be done away with to allow for legal action should the head of state be found to be on the wrong side of the law.

“We also call for the reinstatement of corporal punishment to oust lawlessness,” he said. Mr Tom Katjimambo of Xangwa village submitted that the constitution should impel the teaching of different languages at schools and that the same languages be allowed as a mode of communication in both public and private radio stations.

“Do away with the special nomination of both councillors and Members of Parliament. It no longer serves the purpose because a substantial number of our people are now educated,” he said.

Ms Kenewe Shuma wanted the constitution to bar marriages that did not involve the parents of the marrying couple.

Such an arrangement, she said was part of the reason many marriages collapsed because of a lack of support system every time disputes erupted.

Ms Shuma also stated that the constitution of Botswana should be designed such that it promoted the use of Setswana on important documents that touched on the socio-economy of citizens.

She wanted the constitution to encourage those in high echelons of power to communicate to the general public in Setswana.

Mr Kebalepile Nkwane rejected the idea to have same-sex marriage, saying it was an abomination before God.

For his part, Mr Gedion Mathethe, a youth in Gumare called for the enactment within the constitution of a law that would force office bearers to deliver on their promises.

Ms Mouti Serara wanted the dowry to be standardised countrywide to avoid inconsistencies some of which she believed discouraged people to wed.

Kgosi Kebonyetsala Fish commended President Masisi for his resolve to give Batswana their constitutional rights to fashion their own constitution.

He was hopeful that the wishes and aspirations of his people and Batswana, in general, would finally see the light of day. ENDS