Africa-Press – Botswana. Following the appointment of a standing committee on the remuneration of Members of Parliament, Councillors, Specified Officers and Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Parliament has without amendments passed the Bills in relation to what has been recommended by the former Judge Monametsi Gaongalelwe led commission.
The three bills: National Assembly (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 23 of 2023), Specified Officers (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, (Bill No. 24 of 2023 and Ntlo Ya Dikgosi (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, (Bill No. 25 of 2023 were presented by Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng on December 13.
However, Maun West Member of Parliament Mr Dumelang Saleshando had at the committee stage proposed that clause 2c of the National Assembly Bill proposing for the president to have a constituency allowance to be deleted.
The clause proposed that the State President be entitled to constituency allowance of P232 544. 16 per annum.
Mr Saleshando argued that the president was not entitled to a constituency allowance as he does not have a constituency.
Mr Saleshando added that the president’s trips were fully catered for by government in terms of transport, food, accommodation and fuel therefore he didn’t need to have a constituency allowance.
He also stated that in the past he held the same view concerning Specially Elected Members of Parliament getting constituency allowance as they do not have constituencies.
Opposing the proposed deletion of the clause from the Bill, Mr Morwaeng said the president was an ordinary Member of Parliament and therefore was entitled to what was offered to other MPs.
He also added that the decision was taken by a standalone committee that was appointed to review the remunerations of politicians and Ntlo ya Dikgosi, therefore their observations and decisions were not influenced by politicians.
Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai was of the view that the clause could have referred to the proposed remuneration as ‘responsibility allowance’ not constituency allowance since a president did not have one.
Mr Motsamai said the president was well taken care of as his trips were well-funded and resourced by government.
However, the Bill was passed without any amendments as the proposed deletion of the clause by Mr Saleshando was defeated by a vote.
Twenty-three votes were against the proposed change, 12 supported the deletion of the clause, one abstained and the other held a conflicting view.
Earlier on when tabling the bill for first reading, Mr Morwaeng said the National Assembly (Salaries and Allowances) Amendment Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 23 of 2023) was published on December 13 and should be heard as a matter of urgency in accordance with Standing Order 72.3.
He said the Bill should be considered during the current session of Parliament and not during the February session in 2024, thereby moving that the Bill be heard and proceed under a certificate of urgency.
Mr Morwaeng had explained that the Bill had not matured as it was published in the Government Gazette on December 13.
Selebi Phikwe West Member of Parliament, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said since the review was done by an independent commission, whatever that was suggested must be taken as it was.
He supported that it be presented under a certificate of urgency.
Leader of the House Mr Slumber Tsogwane said it was unfortunate that some legislators were against the Bill being passed under a certificate of urgency even though they had been advocating for an increase in their salaries.
Mr Tsogwane said the issue was a collective decision by legislators.
He said what was contained in the Bill would not be altered and was only brought before Parliament to be passed or rejected.
Palapye MP, Onneetse Ramogapi supported the Bill’s urgency, more so that its contents were done by an independent commission, and did not doubt its contents.
Mr Ramogapi said presenting the Bill on a certificate of urgency was motivated by the fact that the standing committee submitted its report late.
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