12 Apr 2022

Replacing the Tribal Territories Act with new administration blocks can help preserve peace and harmony in Botswana.

A resident of Ghanzi, Mr Mogomotsi Serole, made the remarks during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Presidential commission of inquiry into the review of the Constitution yesterday.

According to Mr Serole, the act enacted in 1933, divided Batswana along tribal lines; something that he said did not enhance nation building and cohesion.

He also wanted the Constitution to do away with Sections 77, 78 and 79 to foster national unity.

Former MP, Mr Johnnie Swartz, said although he was satisfied with contents of the current Constitution, some patching up needed to be done to make it solid and responsive to contemporary challenges.

He, however, wanted the Constitution to be precise on the separation of powers for the three arms of government; the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The law, Mr Swartz appealed, should be authored such that it portrayed Botswana as a republic.

Mr Bashi Thite submitted that the Constitution should enforce review of the crown land, state land as well as tribal land.

Also, Mr Thite wanted the Constitution to stop inconsistencies whereby some people were issued freehold farms, but others were made to lease the same.

Mr Duxwae Xaogae, who extolled President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for the Constitution review exercise, said Basarwa, who were the first settlers in Botswana should be recognised as such in the constitution.

For her part, Kgosi Annah Rankho called for autonomy of the institution of bogosi and advocated for the cancellation of the term ‘kgosana’ saying it was belittling. She suggested that the word should be replaced by the title, ‘Kgosi ya tetlanyo’.

Kgosi Rankho also wanted the use of all languages to be constitutionalised and that the Constitution should be written in Setswana for better understanding by all.

Like other Batswana who had already presented their submissions before the commission, Ghanzi township populace wanted the death penalty to be upheld and trial of stock theft cases to be made the prerogative of dikgosi.

They called for the reinstatement of bareback lashing as a form of punishment to reign-in acceptable decorum.

Others proposed that the Constitution should be written in a way that would force the powers that be to ensure equitable development throughout the country.

As a way to improve the country’s electoral system, some residents called for the introduction of proportional representation, which they contended would increase representation of marginalised groups such as women, people with disability and religious groups. Ends