Dikgosi call for constitutional review
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Demand Constitutional Review; Kgosi Maruje II
Some members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of chiefs) have called for the utmost holistic review of the Botswana constitution in its entirety to address the current challenges bedevilling the country, and not just trivial face-lift amendments.
The members’ call come at the backdrop of the controversial debate of the constitution (amendment) Bill, 2016 (no. 3 of 2016) which seeks to increase the number of Specially Elected members from 4 to 6. The object of the Bill is also to increase the number of Ministers and Assistant Ministers by 2 each.
When debating the contentious Bill, which was nonetheless passed by a slim vote of 16 to 14 following spirited and robust deliberations, some dikgosi including outspoken Specially Elected Chief, Thabo Maruje II Masunga submitted that the ancient constitution which is still in use as it is, needs a holistic overhaul.
When speaking to WeekendPost shortly after Ntlo ya dikgosi session at the Parliament buildings in Gaborone this week, Maruje asserted that the country should come to a conclusion to look at this constitution “as a whole”.
“The current constitution needs outmost overhaul, we should address this constitution,” he insisted.
Understandably Maruje’s view echoes that of many members of Ntlo ya dikgosi who do not have the courage and confidence to clearly spell it out.
He even suggested that specific areas “they” (some dikgosi) want reviewed include the issue of equity which still has certain challenges. In particular he made reference to the issue of tribes which are recognised by the constitution as major tribes while there is no mention of many other tribes living within the borders of the country.
“That on its own spells out something,” he said adding that “as a Kalanga if a foreigner asks me where I am in the constitution I will be so embarrassed to tell them that I feature in it only in vague language.”
“You know the constitution guards against what might happen, so am saying the issue of equity should be looked at,” he maintained.
In addition the Specially Elected Chief said Botswana has been in a middle income bracket for many years and therefore needs a new constitution that will address current issues affecting the country today.
“Does the constitution still address the issues currently affecting Batswana? Does it still address the issue of Botswana classification of a middle income economy which is not clear it will be for how long?” he asked rhetorically before explaining that, “my view is that Botswana is a mature democracy and there are many issues that are coming out; as much as we are a middle income country it hasn’t translated to betterment of the people,” he stated.
“The understanding is that to forge ahead as a nation we still need to revisit how we are founded pertaining to the supreme document- constitution,” he asserted as he stressed that the holistic review will renew the nations’ aspirations and reflect on what we have achieved as a nation since 1966.
“50 years into our democracy, we have done well and I think we have to appreciate ourselves as a nation. Every Motswana has played a key role in these years. But my view is that 50 years going forward there must be a look at superlative law because there are emerging challenges and they need a new set of dialogue and another set of laws,” he added.
He maintained however that parliament should diligently perform its role of making laws, and playing a watchdog and oversight role, and there should be a separation from the highly powerful executive.
His view is, the constitution must respond to the current challenges and should not be limited by an old constitution as is the case today.
“It is now becoming a limitation, it can’t respond to current situations. It’s a sign that something is not right.”
According to Maruje, something that takes precedence like a constitution cannot be changed willy-nilly but rather wholly.
“The constitution is the blueprint in which Batswana have decided to be governed, but if you change the constitution, it cascades to the governance structure as well. So if you are going to impose 2 more people (Specially elected legislators) we have to soberly ask ourselves if we indeed need this or not,” he further stated.
“I have a serious concern with it because the constitution remains a very important document in the sense that if there is anything that you touch in the constitution there must be a consensus.”
Botswana’s heritage is clearly defined by the constitution including the kgotla system where communities are consulted. Maruje argues that there was no consultation with regards to the review as only the government gazette, which he said only speaks to a certain audience was used. “The kgotla system, dipitso and other forums are there. They can only be strengthened to continue playing their role,” he asserted
“So we should not deny Batswana the power to access information, freedom of information, freedom of association and the freedom to be consulted as they ultimately give a citizen the power to arrive at a particular decision,” he further stressed his point.
Constitution should be written in indigenous languages
According to Maruje, we have hidden much knowledge by not writing some crucial documents like the constitution in Setswana,” such documents could have been written in Setswana, Sesarwa, Sekalaka, Sehumbukushu, and any other language spoken in the country.”
“Now we are talking the developments goals which says we should not leave anyone behind, that means we must try to push anyone at the back foot or who are behind the power to self-determination because it influences the way he thinks, acts, and the mental and psychological state. So I think time has come and yes English is our official language, that we can’t change, but equally languages must be able to empower,” he noted.
He also mentioned that the constitution should be included in the education curriculum. “I believe Batswana must be taught the constitution and the ultimate goals so that they can make part of the debate on it and that every Motswana can execute what they think is the right thing or needs to be done as espoused for by the constitution.”
Of Kgosi Kgafela and Bogosi Act….
Maruje’s view on Kgosi Kgafela’s issue is that Bogosi be the given role to be part of a society of Botswana and not have political interference nor give power to a minister to de-recognise a Kgosi.
“I still don’t understand how because bogosi plays an oversight role on the overall running affairs of the government. I believe kgosi ke kgosi ka morafhe so morafe must be the one deciding on the fate of the kgosi.”
“Giving the minister the power of authority over other key institutions going forward will be a problem,” he highlighted while maintaining that Bogosi Act also needs to be reviewed.
SIDE BAR
Is Maruje joining politics?
The vocal member of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Maruje II says he has no intention of joining politics. “this issue has come out so many times and is starting to worry me personally, and now I always have to dispute that am not a member of a certain political party!” he exclaimed.
“Let me put it on record” he further said, “I am not a member of any political party. I don’t have a membership of any political party and I will give you that assignment to go find out.”
He further stated that, “”I can only join politics if Jesus says something. I will wait for that phone call from heaven. If it comes, there will be no question about it because I believe that as a Kgosi God has given me enough grace as not everyone can be a Kgosi.”
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BPS, Mosala Funeral Parlour butt heads over SA national remains
A squabble has broken out between Pule Mosala Funeral Parlour and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) over the remains of a South African national who has been in the Mosala mortuary for more than nineteen months. The deceased was one of 10 suspects who were controversially shot dead during a lengthy shootout with law enforcement authorities in Gaborone’s Phase 2 early last year.
The deceased individual’s family based in Soweto, has encountered difficulties in repatriating the body which has been in the care of Mosala Mortuary Services. Following the incident, it has emerged that all 10 bodies were transported to PFG mortuary in Lobatse for a brief period while the police attempted to locate their next of kin. It is reported that the families of the deceased were eventually identified and informed to come and identify their loved ones, including other South African nationals who were part of the criminal group. These families also witnessed the autopsy procedures conducted at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone.
Except for the family from Soweto, nine of the bodies were claimed and taken by their separate relatives. The Soweto family claims they lack the resources to bring the body back to South Africa and has made it known that they are looking for money. To end the supposed verbal agreement over the body’s storage for repatriation, Mosala Funeral Service has filed a case against the police at the Lobatse High Court.
According to Keakantse Mmotlhana, the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager, 10 people who were killed in Phase 2 by gunfire were all temporarily transferred to one of PFG’s branches in Lobatse by the police while efforts were made to find their next of kin. She expressed outrage at the statement made by the Minister of Defense and Security, recently.
After Assistant Police Commissioner Dipheko Motube called her office to apologize for giving the Minister wrong information during a news conference, she confirmed that they had accepted the apologies. He made it clear that one of the victims was still at Pule Mortuary in Lobatse.
Bushie Mosala, the director and owner of Mosala Funeral Services, confirmed that the body of a South African national has been in his mortuary for the past nineteen months. He expressed his desire for the police to remove the corpse from the mortuary, characterising the situation as a “nightmare.” He has instructed his legal team to file a lawsuit against the police in the Lobatse High Court concerning the body.
Mosala urged the acting Police Commissioner to come forward and apologize to the nation for the situation, asserting that the public has the right to know the truth regarding the body of the South African national, w
C -002Bhich was preserved by the police as evidence.
The South African High Commission in Gaborone had not responded to queries from Weekend Post at the time going of going to press.
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BOSETU frustrated by Gov’t new dispute winning strategy
Botswana Sectors of Teachers Union (BOSETU) has expressed alarm over a troubling trend by the government. Tobokani Rari, Secretary General of the BOSETU, stated that it appears that these days, whenever there is a dispute between workers and the government, the administration is fast to run to the courts to attempt and muffle unions.
“This is quite disturbing development, we have seen it with the Botswana Doctors Union, there was a disagreement over the shift allowance, government rushed to court, they indeed got order that was saying the doctors should go and do the work. We have seen it with the nurses, they rushed to court they got the order, we are now seeing it with the teachers, they rushed to the court and they got what they wanted,” said Rari, who also served as the Secretary General of BOFEPUSU.
Rari raised concerns that the government’s enforcement of teacher’s work, through a court order will result in reduced classroom productivity and morale. Rari added that this situation would negatively impact labour relations and teachers emotional wellbeing due to dissatisfaction in their work places leading to persistently poor academic outcomes.
“You can get an order that forces people to work, but what happens at work, it heightens emotions, it destroys relationships and the morale goes down and productivity does. Courts and judgments don’t solve productivity issues. Productivity only comes when people are satisfied at the workplace, so if you force them to work through a court order then you may not get the maximum out of the working population,” said Rari
MESD vs BOSETU COURT CASE
“As you are aware, the Ministry of Education approached courts and they were demanding three things from the court in this case between BOSETU and the ministry. First, they were demanding that the joint letter that was written by BOSETU and Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) asking members to stop doing course work because there was no agreement be declared unlawfully and BOSETU should write to its members and withdraw that letter within 24hrs. The second thing that they were looking for, was to interdict BOSETU from further issuing any instructions to that effect going forward. Lastly was that court should hold BOSETU to pay the cost of the lawsuit on a punitive scale,” Rari said.
Rari stated that the court decided to rule in favour of the Ministry of Education on all three relieves sought, that the savingram should be declared unlawful, that BOSETU should withdraw the contents savingram within 24hrs.
Court also said BOSETU should not issue any of such instructions going forward up until the case of contempt that BOSETU has taken to court, the contempt of the 2009 judgment has been decided. Court also awarded cost to the ministry on a punitive scale.
“BOSETU is a law abiding citizen and therefore we are bound by any laws and judgments that are there in Botswana and arise on the courts of Botswana hence we have complied with the order. On the 31st after the court case, we wrote to all our members and told them that the contents of that savingram as far as coursework is concerned has been withdrawn,” said Rari.
Rari said what happened in this case is that the judge decided to listen to the urgency without the responding affidavits of the opposing party, BOSETU, and went on to rule the merit of the case, which surprised the union.
“However we have been in discussion with our lawyers because if we leave things like this, we feel like we cannot leave that unchallenged. We have taken a decision to appeal the judgment,” Rari confirmed.
2023 COURSEWORK AND INVIGILATION AGREEMENT
“We would like to make our members aware that the following day after the judgment, we were able to meet the Ministry of Education and we have arrived at a conclusion that we signed an agreement that coursework rates will be increased by 5%. If court had ruled that coursework is the duty of the teachers’ means it wouldn’t have been any agreement after the court case, it tells you that the issue is still open and it is on the table. We have arrived at an agreement that there is going to be an increment on all components of coursework and invigilation,” Rari pointed out.
Rari further explained that Article 2 says union party is to submit detailed proposals on the intensity of the coursework for further engagement. Intensity of coursework means where the coursework payment starts in terms of varying from different subjects. He said the outcome based subject that are taught Maun Senior Secondary School and Moeng college which are agriculture and hotel and tourism is that ministry have agreed and acknowledge that there are some peculiarity in their coursework and therefore should be paid in line with the peculiarities that are contained in their coursework.
CONGRESS RESOLUTION
Rari pointed out the resolutions taken at the conference where the issue of application of corporal punishment was addressed. “BOSETU will issue out a memo to their members to advise them that they should not apply corporal punishment, they should leave it to be applied in line with the Education Act.”
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BMC sees red as mass buffaloes disrupt plans to supply schools
The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) which had struck a deal with the Ministry of Education to supply some schools in the northern part of the country is counting losses as mass migration of buffalos jeopardize the Commission’s plans.
Information reaching this publication shows that the beef exporter was recently given the greenlight to supply government schools with beef. According to documents seen by this publication, as a result BMC had scheduled to buy and collect cattle in the Nata-Gweta and Boteti constituencies from 11 to 17 September.
This was after BMC and the Ministry of Education struck a deal for the former to supply government schools with beef. Letters exchanged between Ministry officials state that it has been recommended to the ministry to support BMC by allowing it to supply schools with beef products.
The Ministry indicated that it was aware that some schools have contracts that are currently running with suppliers such as local butcheries.
The Ministry revealed that at the same time BMC has 256 tins of frozen quality meat at its Maun Plant.
The Ministry requested the Director-Regional Operations to appoint an officer to manage the procurement of meat for schools that do not currently have running contracts. The Ministry further stated that Modalities of collection will be arranged between the region and the schools identified.
According to the Ministry, a list of schools including the condition of their cold rooms and their number of deliveries and kilograms per week they buy should be compiled. The Ministry also requested its officials to share the list with headquarters and the acting director-Basic Education, and engage BMC accordingly to procure.
But this plan ran into trouble after it emerged that between 300 to 500 buffalos migrated from the buffalo fence area to Nata, Dukwi and Mosetse areas.
The Department of Veterinary Services sprang into acting by revising movement protocol for cloven-hoofed animals with immediate effect following buffalo sightings in zone 3b which covers Nata/Sowa, zone 3c which is around the Dukwi areas as well as zone 6a, which covers the Mosetse area, which fall under zones, 3b, 3c, 5,6a and 8.
The Department of Veterinary Services indicated that as a result, movement of live cloven-hoofed animals and their products out of zones 3b, 3c, 5, 6a and 8 were prohibited and that movement of live cloven-hoofed animals within and into these zones is only allowed for direct slaughter at licensed slaughter facilities under veterinary movement permit issued through BAITS.
The department also indicated that the movement of fresh products derived from cloven-hoofed animals such as raw milk, skins and fresh meat into these zones is also only allowed under a similar arrangement.
Movement of live cloven-hoofed animals into these zones for rearing and other purposes will not be allowed, and farmers and the general public is requested to continue being vigilant and report any buffalo sightings to the nearest veterinary office, the police or the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the department said.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Agriculture has stated that following the press release on prohibition of movement of live cloven-hooved animals and their products in and out of Zones 3b, 3c, 5, 6a & 8, the acting Minister of Agriculture Karabo Gare, his counterpart Acting Minister of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism Mabuse Pule, acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Joshua Moloi, Director of Veterinary Services Dr Kefentse Motshegwa and other government officials visited the areas of Sepako and Dukwi respectively on a mission to consult with communities regarding the invasion of the places by buffalos.
Minister Gare alluded that they have been sent by the President of Botswana, who is equally worried by the current situation. He noted that the affected areas have a total of around 300000 cattle and if the situation goes unchecked, there might be detrimental effects on the economy of this country.
He encouraged the communities to help government going forward by reporting any spotted buffalos in their areas, emphasizing that buffalos are dangerous and can kill people and that care should be exercised at all times.
The Director of Veterinary Services mentioned that they closed the above mentioned zones to allow for testing of buffalos & cattle for foot & mouth disease. The wildlife department’s Director Mr. Moremi Batshabang assured farmers and the community that they will eliminate small clusters of buffalos found within communities and translocate larger clusters to ensure their safety.