BOSETU scolds gov’t over constitutional review
Chakalisa Dube | Monday August 28, 2023 06:00
The union also said the government's posture suggests that little is being done to act on the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Commission. The country is currently in the process of amending its Constitution.
It is anticipated that the refined Constitution will feature key elements contained in the findings of the Constitutional Review Commission. The commission was appointed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to tour the country soliciting views that will be incorporated into the new constitution. However, since the committee completed its task of collecting views from Batswana, nothing much has been said.
This week, BOSETU secretary-general Tobokani Rari said it is time for the union to think of strategies it can use to persuade the government to deliver on the promise to refine the country’s constitution, which is widely thought to be less progressive.
The government’s reluctance to update the nation on the status of the review of the Constitution was among the key issues discussed at the just ended BOSETU conference in Palapye. Rari explained that the union’s deep-seated worry is that, following the enthusiastic call by Masisi that when he got elected into office, he was going to ensure that the Constitution of the country is timely amended, a constitutional review committee was set up and given the mandate to take the views of Batswana but now it would seem like the process has halted.
“The union is concerned that the country would be going for elections next year in October, meaning that depending on whatever happens during elections, Masisi might not come back and the process would halt. The conference further expressed its worry that it seems like the powers that be did not know how the process should ensue after taking people’s views.” Rari told Mmegi in an interview. Unions, civil societies, and opposition parties have often maintained that the constitutional review process was not all-encompassing.
The opposition even boycotted the process saying that the terms of reference did not epitomise democracy. Masisi appointed the commission in December 2021. The commission completed its work last year September and subsequently submitted its findings. On the campaign trail leading to the 2019 General Election, Masisi said it was vital for the country to have a Constitution that represented the views and aspirations of all Batswana. He even promised to deliver a new Constitution timely.
However, since receiving the findings of the commission, Masisi has been less vocal in terms of apprising the nation of the status of the constitutional review. Lately, Masisi has used the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) events as a platform to update the nation about key national events but he has been reluctant to talk about the constitutional review. In its submission to President, the commission made recommendations on various issues such as the judiciary, societal life, the environment, special, vulnerable groups, or entities religion, among others.