BOCRA reaches committee stage

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who was standing in for the Minister for Transport and Communications, Nonofo Molefhi, when the bill was debated, two weeks ago, told the House that he had consulted with the substantive minister and they agreed that the bill should go forward, as they had consulted extensively.

The House adjourned the Bill two weeks ago, ordering Masisi to go and consult with Molefhi. The controversial Bill seeks to abolish the Botswana Telecommunication Authority and the National Broadcasting Board and replace them with Communications Authority. The body will be mandated to regulate telecommunication, internet and information and communication technologies, radio communication, broadcasting, and postal services. However, Botswana Television (Btv) and the two government radio stations will be exempted from such regulation.