Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana, as a multi-party democracy must jealously protect its Constitution in order to preserve its values, Tati East Member of Parliament, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has said.
Dr Letsholathebe said this when contributing to the ongoing debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2024 in Parliament on Monday.
“The Constitution is the pillar of every nation for its peace and tranquillity to prevail.
As we embark on the review and amendment of certain clauses or sections of our Constitution, we have to ensure that we do so with utmost responsibility and care for peace and tranquillity to continue to prevail in the country,” he said.
He said the Constitution as a supreme law defended and protected fundamental rights and freedom.
He added that the three arms of government; the executive, legislature and the judiciary, were also governed by the Constitution for the rule of law to prevail.
He therefore thanked legislators for debating the Bill responsibly, by advancing the nation’s interests.
However, he said though thorough consultation was conducted by the commission, he still believed more needed to have been done, prior to the Constitutional review consultations exercise, to make Batswana fully aware of what to expect during the consultations, as well as after the entire process.
Nonetheless, Dr Letsholathebe applauded the commission for the patience and understanding it displayed throughout the consultations, by embracing the diverse comments and views from the public.
In addition, he appreciated that the team went across all the 57 constituencies, consulting Batswana, and affording them a chance to submit their views and contributions through either the postal service or email.
Going forward, he said it was important for government to introduce Constitution in the education syllabus, for Batswana to learn about their country’s supreme law from an early age.
Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile expressed concern about granting MPs the power to recall others from Parliament for misconduct.
“The power to recall rests with the people. Members of Parliament cannot be recalled by other MPs, willy-nilly.
Democracy in this country is slowly dying under the current leadership,” he said.
He also questioned the criteria or measure that was used to decide that only a few Batswana called for direct election of President, arguing such views were voiced by most Batswana during the commission’s countrywide consultations.
MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Mr Kagiso Mmusi commended government for having found it necessary to enshrine the right to health, education and work in the Constitution.
This, Mr Mmusi said, was a welcome development that would compel government to ensure access to health and availability of medical care for the benefit of every Motswana.
“Additionally, government would also be obliged to ensure development of well-resourced clinics and hospitals for Batswana to full enjoy this fundamental right,” he said.
He also supported enshrining of the right to work in the Constitution, saying that did not only refer to being employed, but encouraging Batswana to take advantage of the availed government programmes to start businesses or create employment for themselves in order to improve their livelihoods.
DAILYNEWS
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