05 May 2022

Any person who wants to be President must first of all be married. The person must also have a minimum qualification of a degree in any discipline, Ditshegwane resident, Mr Stephen Leuwe said yesterday when making submissions to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution during its interface with residents of Takatokwane village in Letlhakeng sub-district

This, he said, was because the president ought to be above reproach.

 “Motho yo o sa nyalang ga a a tshwanela go letlelelwa go nna Tautona,” he said arguing that the position of the President demanded a lot of accountability and therefore called for a person who had proven to be able to rule their own household well.

On others, Mr Leuwe submitted that the supreme law of the land must have a recall clause so that a sitting president could be recalled if found to be on the wrongside of the law.

Time, he said, was also ripe for Botswana to have direct presidential election, which he said would further cement the country’s democracy.

Mr Leuwe also suggested that the constitution should be reviewed every 25 years.

Mr Thomas Batlhophi of Takatokwane wanted Letlhakeng sub District to be upgraded to a fully-fledged district.

He argued that that doing so would encourage development as currently most sub districts across the country were lagging behind in owing to channelling of resources to peri-urban areas.

He said Takatokwane residents were opposed to same-sex relationships and would want the constitution to ban them. They also wanted Ntlo ya Dikgosi to become the 4^th arm of government.

“Discriminatory sections, such as sections 77, 78 and 79 must be repealed because they promote tribalism and polarise Batswana along tribal lines,” he said.

Mr Bonkemetse Ngaka from Maboane supported him in that regard and added it was wrong that dikgosi of only eight tribes namely; Bakgatla, Bakwena, Balete, Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Barolong, Batawana and Batlokwa were regarded as ex-officio members of the house of chiefs while all the other dikgosi were elected.

He also submitted also that it was the wish of fellow residents to have stock theft cases tried only at the kgotla by the Kgosi.

For his part, Kgosi Bafentse Moatshe commended the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for instituting commission.

Mr Boikobo Mooka who presented the views of the people of Sesung wanted the constitution to force the landboard to give every Motswana a residential plot and land for farming and to be held liable if it failed to do that.

He said on the appointment of the Chief Justice:

“It should be the prerogative of the Judicial Service Commission and not the President as is the case at the moment.”

Furthermore, he said, adding that fellow the people of Sesung wanted the law to ban appointment of nominated councillors.

Earlier, on in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Viscos Tsiane of Takatokwane appreciated President Dr Masisi for setting up the commission, saying this would be the first time the constitution was reviewed in its entirety since independence. He also called for revocation of sections 77, 78 and 79.

He also said Letlhakeng sub district be given full district status.

During interest groups session in the afternoon, Pastor Gonalemang Kobo called for the establishment of a ministerial committee that would oversee matters concerning the church.

Mr Maikelo Ditau called for recognition of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) as part of integral support system that promoted education.

He thus pleaded for the constitution to ensure its members were paid allowances to incentivise them. ENDS