Mogae, Masire were specially elected MPs � Kgathi
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday July 22, 2016 13:26
Kgathi went on to share a long list of the specially elected members since 1965, further highlighting those who have risen to be household names like Dr Gaositwe Chiepe, George Kgoroba and Daniel Kwelagobe.
He described the opposition as “hypocrites” for saying the system rewards rejects saying they also use it as recently done by the Botswana National Front (BNF) leader Duma Boko when he co-opted a few members into the party’s central committee.
MP for Francistown South Wynter Mmolotsi said that he would be disappointed if the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) backbench MPs vote in favour of the Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2016 on which debates started this week.
The Bill seeks to increase the number of specially elected members of Parliament from four to six as provided for in Section 58 (2) (b) of the constitution.
Mmolotsi argued that the proposed law is unnecessary describing it as a BDP scheme to fight or resolve internal wars by rewarding or fixing each other, and to engage in “evil activities”.
“These appointments are meant to fix other people. The BDP is using it to for evil things. I would be very disappointed in the BDP backbench if they pass this Bill. We don’t need more cabinet members,” he said.
Mmolotsi said that the sole purpose of the specially elected MPs was to bring expertise or skills that Parliament needs but it has been used for political interests. He said that it is not true that the current Parliament lacks skills as most people in the house have high qualifications, which are not utilised. Mmolotsi said that it is surprising that government does not increase civil servants salaries claiming lack of funds, but in turn wants to increase the number of cabinet ministers and specially elected MPs.
“More money is going to be used to pay these people’s salaries, gratuity and constituency allowances while there are other departments who are operating with shortage of staff. This money could be used to employ at least two doctors.”
Tati East MP Moyo Guma supported the Bill saying that there is serious workload for ministers such as at the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MWEWR).
He said that ministers such as Kitso Mokaila have done tremendously well although they are faced with huge challenges of serious workload.
However, Moyo said that he wants direct election of the President so that he is subjected to the electorates’ scrutiny.
“This means that the President would in turn be allowed to choose his cabinet members whom he wishes from the public. The head of state should not be confined to choose from elected parliamentarians so that Parliament remains independent from the Executive,” Guma said.
He said that this would address the issue of shortage of skills in Parliament.
When presenting the Bill on Wednesday, the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Phillip Makgalemele said that the economy of Botswana continues to grow in size and complexity.
He said that therefore, increasing the number of specially elected members provides an opportunity for the National Assembly to elect from members of the public, citizens with expertise to among others augment the skills base within the House. He said this would enrich the capacity of the House and capability to deal with national issues, which are presented before it.