LEGABIBO, church wrestle for attention as Parley defers motion

Both camps have expressed pleasure at government's decision to defer Parliament debate and bill amendment. Minister of Justice Machana Shamukuni Tuesday announced in Parliament that he has deferred the Panel Code Amendment Bill No.29 of 2022 to allow for a rigorous examination of the constitutional issues raised with his ministry regarding the bill before it could be debated in Parliament.

“I, therefore, seek to satisfy myself that the views and concerns of all stakeholders about the interpretation of the Constitution are considered and that the provision of the revision of law Acts have been thoroughly interrogated”, Shamukuni told Parley. Both LEGABIBO and the Church have been at loggerheads over the amendment of Section 164(a) and (c) of the Penal Code (Cap. 08:01), which criminalises carnal knowledge between two adults against the order of nature. Section 164(a) and (c) was declared unconstitutional in the case of the Attorney General and Letsweletse Motshidiemang, at the Court of Appeal.