12 Apr 2023

Government upholds the rule of law and subscribes to principles of good governance.

It therefore does not interfere in internal operational matters of private companies.

This was said by Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng in response to a parliamentary question on Tuesdaay.

Mr Morwaeng told Parliament that Botswana was a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, where fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals such as freedom to associate and assemble were enshrined in the Constitution.

“Therefore there is nothing that forbids Karowe Diamond Mine workers from engaging in politics given that the mine is wholly private. The mine manager is not in violation of ethics and principles of governance by virtue of membership of political party of his choice as he was exercising his freedom to associate as entrenched in the Constitution of Botswana,” he said.

The minister was responding to a question from Serowe North MP, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe who had wanted to know if it was ethical and in line with principles of good governance to have Karowe Diamond Mine manager as secretary general of a certain political party and also explain why.

“It would have been useful if Mr Mathoothe could have stated which moral and ethical code of conduct were being violated when individual citizens who are gainfully engaged in the private sector got involved in political parties,” the minister said.

He added that there had been individuals who were gainfully employed in the private sector, state-owned enterprises and labour trade unions and held positions in different political parties in Botswana.

“A case in point are some MPs who own companies but continue to serve in political parties. 

There was also a secretary general of one trade union holding a political office in one of the political parties,” he added.

Again, he said the University of Botswana as a state-owned enterprise was one example where some politicians had been holding some positions and continued to be active members of political parties.

“Mr Mathoothe should have guided the House where the lines of participation were drawn when it came to good governance,” he said. ENDS