20 Dec 2023

Chairperson of the Standing Orders Committee, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe on Monday presented the proposed draft amendments to the Standing Orders presented to Parliament  for adoption.

Mr Leuwe said the review of the Standing Orders commenced following the meeting of the committee in May 2022. He expressed disappointment that even though legislators were invited to make contributions, only two came forth.

He said the draft that was before the House was prepared with the advice of Parliamentary legal advisors while the review was guided by benchmarking against other commonwealth countries.

Mr Leuwe said the general observation of the committee was that the Standing Orders were still intact and the only challenge was that they were not enforced accordingly.

Making his contribution, the Leader of Opposition (LOO) and Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the proposed amendments must cater for the growth of democracy in the country and be aligned to modern changes. He said it appeared the Standing Orders, in particular Standing Order 58 was restrictive on dress code as it did not cater for formal traditional attires.

He said Parliament must be exemplary and show that democracy was growing adding that in the past, there was a debate about the State Chair which was used by the President when addressing Parliament. Mr Keorapetse stated that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) was calling for the abolishment of the State Chair.

Mr Keorapetse also added that the other wish from the UDC was that at least once a week, the President must be available to answer questions raised by legislators in Parliament. He said there were instances where topical issues arose, calling for the voice of the State President.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said Standing Order 60 which dealt with the naming of a member that was previously done by a Chief Whip now gave authority to the Speaker. According to the Standing Order, the Speaker shall say “Hon….[name of the Member] I find your behaviour grossly disorderly and sending you away for today's sitting is insufficient punishment. I, therefore, in accordance with this Standing Order, name you…”

Mr Mmolotsi said he was not comfortable with the proposed change and said the Speaker who was also a sitting Member of Parliament was likely to use such powers to fight personal vendettas.

He said the Speaker was likely to name officers whom he had issues with so that they could be taken out of the House even if it was not necessary, just to settle scores.

In relation to Standing Order 134, Mr Mmolotsi said Parliament must adopt holding Parliament virtually to allow for ministers to answer questions virtually. He added that in most cases where a portfolio minister was represented by another minister in their absence, questions were not adequately answered, especially follow-up questions.

Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healy said Standing Order 3 which dealt with live sharing and broadcasting of Parliament content must emphasise how and who must share such content. He said Standing Orders must guard against distortion of Parliament content.

He also agreed with Standing Order 5.1 which emphasises that the Speaker shall not partake in any debate before the House and shall not have voting rights in any matter before any committee. ENDS