13 Jun 2022

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) often described as the law that keeps citizens ‘in the know’ is among those pieces of legislation being lobbied for across the globe. 

It was against this background that Mr Slacks Mosenya of Francistown South submitted to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution, at its meeting with Francistown Phase IV residents yesterday, that FOIA should be incorporated into the constitution. “Mo gompienong babegadikgang ga ba tlhoka information ba a sokola ka lebaka la gore ga gona molao wa go tshwana le o, jaanong o fitlhela ele gore dipego tsa bone ke tse di sa tlhapang ebile di sena boammaaruri,” he said meaning the absence of this law encouraged unethical reporting by journalists.

Mr Mosenya, who spoke on behalf of the people of Francistown West argued that to discourage ‘yellow journalism’, FOIA must be promulgated. 

On electoral reforms, Mr Mosenya called for the abolition of the first-past-the-post system, and said it should be replaced by proportional representation. He argued the first-past-the-post system did not reflect a true picture of representation. 

He also said Francistown West people wanted appointments of heads of oversight institutions done by the national assembly and not the president, and that the executive should be appointed from outside parliament for the sake of productivity. 

Fellow resident and Francistown South representative, Ms Malebogo Gaobonwe said on behalf of the constituency that they wanted ballots including those of Members of Parliament counted at polling stations to avoid transporting them elsewhere for counting as that compromised the integrity of the voting process. 

“Ga re sa tlhole re batla gore Mapalamente kgotsa Makhanselara ba nne go feta ngwaga tse di lesome,” she said expressing Francistown South residents’ wish to have the term of both legislators and councillors limited to only two five-year terms. 

Furthermore, he brought to the attention of the Commission Francistown South residents’ disdain for special nomination of councillors and MPs who had been rejected by electorates at the polls. 

Mr Karel Ludick said he wished to see all tribes in Botswana represented at Ntlo ya dikgosi. 

He also wanted pension age eligibility reduced to 60. 

Ms Kefilwe Gaoforwe wanted the constitution to compel government to give people land. In that way those who felt hard done by the authority could take legal action for non-compliance. 

Youthful Mr Tualo Mpunang shared her thoughts, and added that dikgosi should be incorporated into land allocation boards. On presidential immunity, Ms Makamu Mapini felt the status quo must change. 

Mr Mapini also suggested that Sections 76, 77 and 78 of the constitution of Botswana be expunged as they promoted discrimination. 

Another resident Mr Lindani Tadziba proposed that cattle brands should be used to track owners of the beasts whenever it became necessary. Mr Kaelo Osimegeng said the special nomination card should be used to get people living with disability to parliament and council. 

On Bogadi, Ms Boikhutso Simon said high charges were the reason many women were not getting married and that bride price should be standardised across the nation. 

Mr Nimrod Thankana’s view was that the Ministry of Local Government should not oversee chieftainship matters, but that a different ministry be set up for that purpose. 

Kgosi Gani Moses had earlier on suggested there should be another court above both the Court of Appeal. 

He submitted also that Section 127 of the constitution should be amended to include Urban Court Presidents. ENDS