Africa-Press – Botswana. The minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng has said the mandate of the current Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution is very clear on what it intends to achieve.
He was responding to the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando who felt that President Mokgweetsi Masisi appointed the Commission of Inquiry without any input from Parliament and therefore, it does not know what to do.
“It is going to conduct an enquiry and take views from Batswana as to what they wish should be reviewed in the Constitution. The Commission is not doing the review of the Constitution itself as this is a consultative process with the people of Botswana so that they can take part and contribute to this very important exercise,” Morwaeng said.
He also said in selecting the commissioners, inclusivity was the guiding principle and there is no doubt that its membership represents the widest and broadest possible representation.
Morwaeng said in the past Commissions of Inquiry, which were issued to inquire into the review of certain sections of the Constitution or any other matter of national importance, followed the same process laid out in the Act.
He added that they acted and followed what is required by the laws of Botswana and any other process outside of what the Act provides will be unlawful.
Furthermore, the Minister said the President deemed it advisable to issue the Commission as in his opinion it is something that is required and pertinent to hear Batswana and develop a Constitution that they want.
“We deem it to be of utmost importance that views from Batswana be heard and given utmost priority. The Commissions of Inquiry Act provides for this and all its processes as laid out in the Act have been fully complied with,” he said.
“It is now up to Batswana to propose what their Constitution should look like. Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the alteration of the Constitution by Parliament. We are, however, not yet at this stage, we are still consulting the public as to whether there is a need for alterations.”
He said when the stage of the provision of section 89 of the Constitution is reached then it will be fully complied with.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
