BDP MPs give Bill the thumbs-down

ANDREW MODISE
Correspondent | Friday April 13, 2012 00:00

Vice-President Mompati Merafhe on Tuesday asked the house to give the Bill precedence after its debate was suspended the previous week.

Last week Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi, tabled a motion calling for the suspension of the debate on the motion. Of the 45 MPs in attendance, only 35 voted after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Nasha called for an electronic vote. Eighteen MPs voted for the Bill to be given precedence while 17 objected. The opposition bench had 16 MPs in attendance, meaning that some BDP MPs voted against it.

The Speaker said the MPs should go and check amongst themselves in their parties to see who did not vote, expressing concern that 'this is not a good sign' for the house. The Bill was published on October 28, 2011. It was tabled by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Refusing to support the Bill to be given precedence, Ngwaketse West legislator, Mephato Reatile, said he was uncomfortable with it, adding that it should be deferred for further consultation. He said he felt that not much consultation was done. He was supported by Kgatleng East MP, Isaac Mabiletsa, who argued that 'consultation did not mean only MPs and Minister Masisi'.

He said if the Bill was being brought up simply because some people had been forced to just follow an order, then that was not fair to the voters. He said that it 'will be very unfortunate if BDP MPs were directed to allow this to happen'.

Minister Masisi told Parliament that it had been agreed at the All Party Caucus that the Bill should take place at the committee stage. He noted that it was also agreed that if 'one is expelled from a party, no by-elections should be held and that even if an independent candidate decides to join another party, no by-elections should be held'. (Sila Press Agecny)