The minister helped to defeat an opposition motion to entrench the date of general elections in the constitution last Friday saying that this will be covered in a comprehensive review of the constitution to be undertaken by government. However, it emerged yesterday that NDP 10 proposals for the ministry responsible for constitutional matters have no provision for a review comprehensive or minor. The omission from the proposals for the Ministry of Defence, Security and Justice prompted Botswana Congress Party (BCP) MP for Gaborone Central, Dumelang Saleshando to say that government is not committed to reviewing the constitution to close loopholes and remove sections. The MP demanded an explanation why the review has not been included in the ministry's seven-year budget as promised by Nasha. Saleshando said that the judiciary must be independent from the executive arm of government to ensure its independence. He said that recently, President Ian Khama abused his powers in rejecting recommendations of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) for the appointment of judges without giving any reasons. He said that he has tried in vain to find answers on which section of the constitution the President was relying on. The MP accused the government of undermining the Industrial Court by appointing a judge who has no background on labour issues. He said it is hypocritical to appoint police officers to probe extra-judicial killings by state security organs. He called on government to appoint an independent body to investigate murders where police officers are involved. He accused the government of doing things in secret and cited the P1 billion budgeted for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). He warned that through DIS, government is creating a monster that will one day haunt the nation.
Breaking a month-long silence, the MP for Serowe North, Tshekedi Khama, wanted to know if the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) budget included activities that soldiers engage in though they do not fall under the military. He doubted the operational readiness of the BDF on grounds that it has to go through the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) to acquire military equipment. He called for the special procurement system for BDF and police to cope with emerging challenges.
