Dissolve parliamentary committees – Healy
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday July 19, 2022 06:00
He called on Parliament to dissolve all parliamentary committees and direct the committee of selection to expeditiously constitute the new parliamentary committees within three days of the resolution.
Once the resolution is passed, Healy said it should reflect the composition of parties in Parliament as close as possible.
Debating the motion, he said there has been a lot of movement in Parliament with about 30% in different directions hence this should be reflected in committees’ compositions.
He further said several MPs have defected to join other parties and there have been new ministerial appointments hence the need to realign Parliament committees.
“Some MPs have moved from Cabinet and are currently just ordinary members hence the need for such MPs with their area of specialities to be allowed to be part of these committees looking at their expertise and experiences. There is a need to restructure these committees,” he said.
Healy further stated that one such as the former Leader of Opposition, Dumelang Shaleshando given his experience and area of speciality should be part of these committees.
Moreover, he further stated that there is a need for those committees to be chaired by MPs from the ruling party as the voting public chose their members to lead the country.
“These committees are a mini-Parliament and they should reflect the composition of parties in Parliament,” Healy said.
“We cannot allow MPs from opposition parties to chair these committees and sabotage Parliament proceedings like they have been doing refusing to call party caucuses as has happened recently. Furthermore, Botswana Congress Party currently has more members and that is reflected in these committees.”
Commenting and supporting the motion, Assistant Minister of State President, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said it is an important motion that should be treated as a matter of urgency for Parliament to serve its purpose.
Mthimkhulu further stated that the ruling party has been elected to lead the country but, currently, they have allowed members from opposition parties to chair these committees in large numbers.
“About 70% of opposition members are currently chairing these committees and this is not correct because this is against the Standing Order number 100 and we should correct it with this motion,” he said.
Sharing the same sentiments, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela supported the motion saying it should be treated as an urgent matter because committees should reflect the balance of parties in Parliament. Kgafela echoed Mthimkhulu adding that the committees should reflect the balance of the National Assembly representation.
“The majority in Parliament is currently the minority in committees hence the need for committees to be dissolved and correct this because these are important committees hence this representation should be reflective,” Kgafela.
However, Ngami MP, Carter Hikuama pleaded with Healy not to mislead Parliament by saying there is no balance in Parliament committees because the ruling party is represented in all parties.
He, however, stated that the committees have been doing Parliament duties just fine hence the amendment should be treated urgently.
The debate on the motion will continue next week as Parliament adjourned.