UB don denies vacuum for State presidency

President Masisi with VP Tsogwane PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
President Masisi with VP Tsogwane PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

As many widely speculate that there is a vacuum for State presidency in the country, associate professor of law, University of Botswana law department, Tachilisa Balule says there is nothing like that as the powers had gone back to President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

In an interview with Mmegi on Tuesday this week, Balule said section 36 of the Botswana Constitution gives the sitting President the power to appoint the acting President who could be a Minister but if he feels his illness cannot distract him from discharging his duties then powers go back to him.

“Currently the powers had gone back to the incumbent President since he had not evoked them. It means that there is no vacuum as many speculate,” Balule said.

Section 36 of Botswana Constitution reads, “whenever the President is absent from Botswana or considers it desirable to do so by reason of illness or any other cause he or she may, by directions in writing, authorise the Vice President, during any period when there is no Vice-President or the Vice-President is absent from Botswana or is, by reason of physical or mental infirmity, unable to perform the functions of his or her office, some Minister, to discharge such of the functions of the Office of President as he or she may specify, and the Vice-President or other Minister may discharge those functions until his or her authority is revoked by the President.”

Editor's Comment
Dear gov't, doctors: Ntwakgolo ke ya molomo

With both sides entrenched in legal battles and public spats, the risk to public health, trust in institutions, and the welfare of doctors grows by the day. It's time for cooler heads to prevail. The government and BDU must return to the negotiating table, not with threats, but with a shared commitment to resolve this crisis fairly and urgently.At the heart of this dispute lies a simple truth: doctors aren't just employees but guardians...

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