Mmegi

MPs reject motion on new mandatory CSR

The motion was put before the house by Tswapong South legislator PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
The motion was put before the house by Tswapong South legislator PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Out of a total of 37 legislators who were in the House, 22 Members of Parliament (MPs) recently rejected a motion requesting the government to introduce a law setting a mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for a specified proportion of profits before tax for companies operating in Botswana.

The motion was put before the house by Tswapong South legislator, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, but only 15 MPs voted ‘Yes’ as the Motion was negated.

Opposing the motion, the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeyaone Ntsima, said once they legislate a mandatory percentage on profit, CSR ceases to be a voluntary responsibility and becomes a compulsory levy. He also said it would become compliance-driven, instead of impact-driven; therefore, they must be careful not to create a backdoor tax.

Editor's Comment
BPF should get house in order

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has this week rightly washed his hands of the mess, refusing to wade into a party squabble that has no clear leadership and no single version of the truth.When a single party sends six different letters to the Speaker’s office, each claiming to be the authoritative voice, it is not just confusion, but an embarrassment.Keorapetse is correct to insist on institutional boundaries. Parliament...

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