01 Jun 2022

Some residents of Gweta have called for establishment of specialised court to deal with construction litigations.

Due to the construction boom, bidders who feel hard done during tendering process take the legal route in a bid to have their cases resolved thereby stalling much-needed developments.

Mr George Maphane, who spoke on behalf of the Gweta community, shared these thoughts with the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution yesterday.

He also submitted that the Constitution should include and protect the national anthem under Chapter One.

“There is need to protect the anthem since it is all-inclusive for all tribes,” he said, further calling for equitable distribution of resources for citizens to enjoy irrespective of geographical location.

Besides advocating equality amongst all tribes, Mr Maphane suggested the reformation of the institution of bogosi so that the entity could put up with contemporary challenges and that the appointment of leadership positions should be on merit and not by birth.

Mr Welidzani Manthe of Zoroga relayed that fellow residents wanted direct election of the country’s president.  

He stated further that sitting presidents should like any other citizen be brought to book if found to have brushes with the law.

Tsokatshaa representative, Mr Albert Tikiri, echoed sentiments that dikgosi should work hand in hand with landboards to allocate plots.

“Re batla gape gore lerona re le Basarwa re lemogiwe mo molao-motheong re bo re nne le kgosi-kgolo kwa ntlong ya dikgosi re tle re nne le seriti le rona,” he said.

On politics, Mr Tikiri said time had come for government to bankroll political parties.

He added that rapists should be castrated much to the approval of the crowd.

A resident of Gweta, Mr Bashaninga Gaoratwe’s viewpoint was that the Constitution should prosecute people that were found in possession of human parts.

His views were shared by Mr Olefile Ntemogisang who stated that the alleged increase of incidents of people killed for ritual purposes were disturbing, adding that such needed to be nipped in the bud.

For his part, Mr Dinte Matome suggested that Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution should be repealed,

He went further to suggest that any part of the constitution that promoted tribalism had to be done away with for the sake of peace and tranquillity.

Ms Mmasekgowa Makosha said the law had given children a lot of powers, something she argued had made the latter cast off all restraint.

She was of the view that rapists should be castrated to send a strong message that rape did not have a place within the society.

Another resident, Mr Tapudzani Gabolekwe submitted that the cumbersome nature of the Central District necessitated its demarcation; something he said would help foster developments.

Mr Kethusegile Gaotwane was against same-sex marriage and requested that the supreme law of the land should declare Botswana a Christian state.

“Modimo wa legodimo ke ene Modimo, go bosula mo pele ga modimo go letlelela nyalo ya batho ba  bong jo bo tshwanang,” he said.

In his remarks, Kgosi Zephania Makosha praised President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for fulfilling his promise to have the Constitution reviewed.

Kgosi Makosha submitted that the customary law should be duly recognised and written in the Constitution.

He was also against the idea of having dikgosi meddle in politics saying the practice had brought disgrace to f Bogosi. ENDS