The lack of financial and administrative autonomy of Parliament is one of the many examples of the independence deficiencies of most Parliaments in Africa including Botswana. Parliament of Botswana is faced with financial and administration problems which hinder its constitutional mandate of legislation and oversight.
The Constitution provides that the legislative authority of the country vests in Parliament which enacts, reform/modify and repeal laws for the good of the nation. There are three arms of government namely the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive. These institutions in proper democracies are equal and compliment and provide checks on each other. No institution is suppose to be the boss. The legislature is the barometer of public opinion, it is constituted by the people through election of representatives. It has to articulate voters preferences into policies and laws. The executive has to implement policies, laws and decisions of the people passed by Parliament. The judiciary must interpret the law if there’s a dispute. All these institutions must be independent in exercising their functions but must be held accountable. The people should hold Parliament accountable by hiring and firing MPs or the whole government and replacing them with new ones if need be. Where Parliament seeks to legislate outside its powers, eg passing a law that are ultra vires the constitution, the judiciary can stop that.
