Opposition MPs stage walk-out

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday December 5, 2014 14:23

 

Opposition MPs stage walk-out

Opposition whip, Wynter Mmolotsi told the media that ministers are usually not included in parliamentary committees and that is why they are protesting.

“At first we were not worried that they decided to include the ministers. But what made us to withdraw from those committees is the fact that BDP MPs in each committee brought five or six members and the name of the person they wanted to be chairman. Parliamentary committees are made up of seven or eight members,” Mmolotsi said. He said opposition MPs are going to withdraw from all committees until the ruling BDP comes to its senses. He said some committees are not likely to form a quorum because certain BDP MPs have been elected in more than three committees. Parliament has 23 committees. Only the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is chaired by an opposition MP according to Standing Orders.

Mmolotsi said BDP MPs have become arrogant to a point that they have forgotten that in Parliament, they have to work together with the opposition to develop the country. “I think they are frustrated that the opposition parties have 20 MPs.” Botswana Congress Party (BCP) chief whip, Bagalatia Arone said they have taken the decision collectively and if BDP does not want to listen to them, then they will report to the international parliamentary committee.

“Other parliaments will not recognise their (Botswana Parliament) committees. It is up to the BDP if they want to work with us or not. We want things to be done professionally and on good purpose,” Arone said.

He said he does not know why the BDP wants the biggest share in all the 22 committees. He is puzzled by what he calls the BDP’s weird behaviour in the 11th Parliament.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change said they have engaged the Speaker about the matter.