Constitutionalism in a time of crisis: Botswana's reaction to COVID-19

Friday, May 15, 2020

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Botswana, a country with a population slightly over two million, has recently joined countries that took stringent measures necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19. On March 31, 2020 President Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi declared a state of public emergency.

This was the second time a state of public emergency was declared since Botswana attained independence in 1966. According to the Declaration of State of Public Emergency Order, “…it was necessary to declare a state of public emergency for the purpose of taking the necessary measures to address the risks posed by COVID-19”.

President Masisi was acting pursuant to section 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana (1966). The features of the said section are that:

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Constitutionalism in a time of crisis: Botswana's reaction to COVID-19

Botswana, a country with a population slightly over two million, has recently joined countries that took stringent measures necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19. On March 31, 2020 President Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi declared a state of public emergency.

The audacity to be a unicorn

Faulty gadgets top complaints to BOCRA

Civil Society fights 'flawed' constitutional amendment

Civil Society calls for Constitution review governing Act

IEC rejects 2,513 registrations

Motshegwa prevails against detractors

Serowe woman ingests acid, attempts suicide

Serowe man 'loses' P1m in trading

Inspect the voters' roll!