02 Mar 2026

Legislators have called for the autonomy of Parliament in managing its budget, staff and facilities to ensure separation of powers. 

Debating the proposed 2026/27 budget allocations for Parliament, presented by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, MPs argued that independence from the Executive was essential. 

They maintained that such autonomy would allow the legislature to manage its own infrastructure, exercise its core functions and provide oversight without interference. 

Kgatleng West legislator, Dr Unity Dow advocated for political funding to strengthen democracy and governance. She noted that the Clerk of the National Assembly was currently administratively constrained because key decisions were made externally. Furthermore, she highlighted critical shortage of committee researchers. 

“Our support system is very weak,” Dr Dow said, noting that some staff members were forced to serve seven committees simultaneously, leading to some committees failing to sit at all. 

She also implored cabinet ministers to stop scheduling Executive activities during Parliamentary sittings. 

“There are only three times a year that Parliament sits and Cabinet should respect these sittings,” Dr Dow said.Mmopane/Metsimotlhabe MP and Deputy Speaker, Ms Hellen Manyeneng, concurred that financial independence was vital for law-making and representation.

Ms Manyeneng argued that Parliament currently lagged behind continental standards and called for a Parliament Act and a Code of Conduct and Ethics for staff. 

She also called for an increased budget to prevent the disruption of committee functions, reforms regarding the ratification of treaties and protocols as well as enhanced training for Parliamentarians on international agreements. Mogoditshane West MP, Mr Galenawabo Lekau, called for the formal empowerment of Whips to ensure that they performed their roles efficiently and without fear. 

Mr Lekau also argued that legislators should be given full control over Constituency Community Project funds. 

Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said Parliament should not be an extension of the executive. 

Mr Hikuama lamented lack of official transport for constituency roles, noting that MPs were currently forced to use their personal salaries to cover official activities. 

“That Parliament must still ask for permission to travel proves there is no true separation of powers,” he said. 

Shoshong MP, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang, contended that support staff were currently under-capacitated to handle complex bills and called for specialised empowerment to better advise committees.

 Meanwhile, Boteti East MP, Mr Keoagile Atamelang, welcomed the move toward an e-Parliament, including the e-Hansard system. 

Mr Atamelang suggested that IT graduates be recruited to improve efficiency and urged for better integration with agencies like Statistics Botswana to provide crucial data for policy crafting. 

In response, Minister Mohwasa appreciated the contributions but reminded Parliament of the country’s limited financial resources. 

He called on MPs to work together to strengthen the independence of both the judiciary and the legislature while keeping the Executive in check. ENDS