BCP calls for suspension of the current “unlawful” parliament
Opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has filed a notice calling for the court to suspend the current “unlawful” parliament on urgency basis.
The party through its dual legislators; Selibe Phikwe West law maker Dithapelo Keorapetse as well as Ramotswa Member of Parliament Samuel Rantuana says the parliament is unconstitutional and therefore, in particular, the current President Mokgweetsi Masisi is not a substantive president.
Through its esteemed attorney Martin Dingake of Dingake Law Partners, they state that the Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Kokorwe has therefore, against the constitution, failed to convene parliament for the election of the president seven (7) days after Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama resigned. Upon Khama’s resignation in March 31, Masisi then as per automatic succession, assumed the presidency of the country on April 1, 2018.
“The National Assembly, as represented by Kokorwe, has declined, failed and refused to exercise its singular powers (for parliament to dully elect the president) under the relevant provisions of the constitution,” Dingake on behalf of the duo, and the party, stated in the filing notice before High Court, a copy of which has been passed to Weekend Post.
The BCP says “the Speaker of Parliament and Attorney General have failed, neglected and/or refused to meet within the set (seven) 7 days and to respond to the correspondence (from the party).” The party contend that the application before court therefore is to address the alleged constitutional violation by the Speaker of Parliament and seek the Court’s intervention in; directing that the ordinary rules relating to form, time and service be dispensed with and that this matter be heard as urgent.
They also want court to direct that “pending the final determination of the relief sought in: Parliament be suspended.” Dingake said in the filing notice that the court should declare that following the assumption of Office of President by Masisi under Section 35 (1) of the Constitution the Speaker of the National Assembly is constitutionally required to convene the National Assembly for purposes of Sections 35 (4) and (5) of the Constitution of Botswana.
“The court should also declare that the National Assembly is constitutionally prohibited from sitting and or conducting business for any purposes other than that of Sections 35 (4) and (5) of the Constitution of Botswana,” he stated. On April 1st, 2018, Dingake on behalf of BCP once again by operation of Section 35 (1) of the Constitution, said Masisi assumed Office of President of the Republic of Botswana but he did not assume the functions and duties of that office.
“I reiterate that since the day of the inauguration of Masisi, the National Assembly has convened on every working day since April 4th, 2018. On the April 4th, 2018, the National Assembly convened to endorse and swear in a Vice President Slumber Tsogwane that was nominated by Masisi. It is clear that the National Assembly is not prorogued or dissolved at this stage and should adhere to the Constitution obligation to convene for purposes to elect a President.”
According to the party, currently in terms of the law, there is no president in Botswana. The BCP Secretary General Akanyang Magama stated in the party filing affidavit before the court that: “I am advised by my attorneys of record which advice I verily believe to be true and correct that the office of the President is currently vacant due to the failure to implement the constitutional requirements of Section 35 of the constitution.”
According to the BCP as represented by law expert Dingake; in its passive non-compliance with the provisions of Section 35 of the constitution, as read in its entirety, the Speaker of Parliament undermines the foundational value of supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.
“In as far as the Speaker Kokorwe has not complied with the mandatory provisions of Section 35 (4) of the Constitution; the continued exercise of presidential functions and duties by President Masisi is not sanctioned by a valid parliamentary process, and is ultra vires the constitution,” the party emphasised through their highly valued attorney.
The attorney points out in the court papers that: “it is important to note that per Section 57 of the Constitution, “parliament” comprises of the National Assembly and the President. For there to be a lawful parliament, the two (National Assembly and the President) need to be enjoined by the endorsement process, in this instance, as prescribed under section 35 of the constitution.”
They continued: the failure by Kokorwe to conduct an election of the President (dully) in terms of Section 35 (4) of the Constitution renders parliament, as currently is construed as it is unlawful. According to Magama, the BCP Secretary General, by way of a letter, dated April 10th, 2018; he instructed his attorneys to remind the Speaker of the National Assembly’s constitutional obligation and called upon her to convene the National Assembly to elect a person to the office of President, the warning which Kokorwe failed to take heed of.
In the letter the BCP warned Kokorwe that “our clients opine that there are four (4) types of Presidents envisaged under the Constitution, and these are; a Section 32 President; a Section 35 (1) President; a Section 35 (2) President; and a Section 35 (4) President. As provided for by the Constitution, Dingake observes that only Section 32 and Section 35 (4) Presidents are substantive holders of office with the power to make appointments (revoke the appointment of Vice-President) or dissolve Parliament.
“His Excellency President Mokgweetsi EK Masisi is neither a Section 32 nor Section 35 (2) President. Further, he did not ascend to the office of President following an election by Parliament. And to this extent, does not qualify as one (President) under Section 35 (4) as read with Section 35 (5) of the Constitution,” the lawyer stressed in the warning letter to Kokorwe.
The revered attorney added that President Masisi therefore is remains and has always been a Section 35 (1) President; and must be treated as such. The Constitution, he said, in terms of Section 35 (3) provides that a Section 35 (1) President “shall not exercise the powers of the President to revoke the appointment of Vice-President or dissolve Parliament.”
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.