Tawana's dress sense baffles MPs

Member of Parliament for Maun West also Batawana Paramount,  Kgosi Tawana Moremi is a troubled man, says his fellow MPs in the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).

Moremi was the centre of attraction Monday at Parliament when he arrived wearing an attire deemed ‘unparliamentary’ by Parliament’s Standing Orders. Moremi wore sandals, dark sunglasses and a hat made from African print material. He did not wear a tie. But Speaker of Parliament Gladys Kokorwe ignored the situation and continued with Parliament business as usual. Other MPs also ignored the situation, which seemed awkward. It is common cause that when an MP wears an outfit deemed unparliamentary, fellow MPs would call the Speaker to the attention of the matter and such an MP would be ordered out to go and dress properly.

Moremi had arrived in Parliament during tea break and when the debate resumed he was one of the first MPs who interjected. Moremi would later raise a point of order while Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Botlogile Tshireletso was debating. He also interjected with the same point order while MP for Molepolole South Dr Tlamelo Mmatli was debating. Even though Point of Order is expected to take precedence, the Speaker ignored Moremi. However, his colleagues sensed that something was amiss with the legislator.

An MP who did not want to be named told this publication that Moremi seems to be a troubled man. He said Moremi was supposed to have gone for rehabilitation last week Friday but declined. The MP said that Moremi was supposed to be taken to rehab in Johannesburg by BMD President Ndaba Gaolathe but turned down the offer.

He said the MP “has not been himself” ever since his divorce from the mother of his three children. It is alleged that the MP may be depressed. “We all see that our colleague is not well but we appreciate that MPs have not made noise about the situation, even those from the ruling party,” said an opposition MP.
One of the MPs from BDP said, “It looks like there is something troubling the MP. But I am glad my colleagues have not made side remarks about the situation in Parliament as it is usually the case when there is an opportunity to ridicule - because this one looks to be a sensitive matter.” On Tuesday, yesterday,  Tawana was not in Parliament and efforts to contact him were not successful as his mobile phone was not available.

Opposition Whip, Wynter Mmolotsi said as the party, they cannot comment because health issues are private matters to their members. At press time, Parliament’s Public Relations Officer, Caroline Jaiyeoba had not responded to the enquiries regarding Moremi’s sense of attire. This was after she had promised to contact The Midweek Sun back on the matter.

At one point another UDC MP, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng was taken by the party to South Africa for rehabilitation. The party has since assigned a person to look after him.Earlier this year an Okapi was found in Parliament and there were allegations that Moremi had brought it to Parliament, but he vehemently denied the accusation saying the BDP was on a warpath against him. “I would be damned to let them go unchallenged on this one,” said Moremi at the time.