We've failed Batswana - MPs admit

Members of Parliament have expressed mixed views on the performance of the just ended Budget session.During the session, MPs were usually fighting over lack of quorum, attitude by colleagues towards others, abuse of the house by the speaker and executive and unsatisfactory answering of questions by ministers among others.

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has been accused of using its numbers to sabotage opposition MPs while the latter have been accused of being cry babies and opposing everything in Parliament, even things that could be beneficial to the country and Batswana.

In an interview, MP for Kanye South Abram Kesupile said the session did not perform to expectations. He said the contemptible manner in which questions were answered by some of the ministers in Parley showed lack of seriousness in their duties, as well as a general disregard for the interests of Batswana. He lamented the latest trend where ministers have made a habit of wantonly coming late to Parliament, with the adverse result of some pertinent issues shoddily addressed. Kesupile said opposition MPs were especially given a raw deal, adding that whenever the MPs asked questions and probed ministers, they were dismissed as trying to score political points, which he says was not the case. Specially Elected MP Mephato Reatile’s only concern was the continued collapse of the quorum even as he felt there had been improvements compared to the previous sessions.

“The quorum would sometimes collapse, resulting in us having to pass Bills in the middle of the night. This has caused an uproar among the public wondering why we could not do things during the time we’re expected to do them,” regretted Reatile.

MP for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane said this was the worst performing session. He said the other problem has been the Parliament Standing Orders. According to Moswaane, no one knows who really has which powers between the Speaker of Parliament, Gladys Kokorwe and Leader of the House Mokgweetsi Masisi. He stated that the Speaker is an authority only during the Parliament business but when it comes to extension of time for debates, the decision is made by Masisi. “I am not happy with the performance.

We have failed to attend to problems that are affecting Batswana. If you take issues such as education and shortage of drugs in our hospitals we have not resolved anything. As an oversight body, we have not done anything to take government to account. But then again, how can we even do that oversight job when the executive outnumbers the backbench?” wondered Moswaane.  The outspoken legislator said the continuing trend of squeezing things and passing Bills at night, which were to be debated for weeks, will have far-reaching consequences. He indicated that performance in Parliament should not be measured by the number of questions asked and motions and Bills passed. According to the MP, even if such motions are passed there is still no use as no implementation is done.

Assistant Minister of Investment Trade and Industry Biggie Butale observes that Parliament did well looking at Bills and motions that were passed. Butale, who is also MP for Tati West, is worried about the abuse of Standing Orders by some of his colleagues. He is however satisfied with the way the Speaker handled such MPs. Butale stated that an improvement could be made during the budget session especially at committee stage. “At committee stage, political parties could be allowed to choose the members to debate certain topics or ministries’ budgets. T

his could be done based on the interests and strengths of a particular MP. This would save us time and we would not have in some instances the same people speaking more than others at committee stage,” stated Butale. Dithapelo Keoraptse, MP for Selibe Phikwe West, said opposition MPs should be applauded because they have tried their best under difficult times. He said they managed to have at least five motions adopted by Parliament under “BDP sabotage and the weak and incompetent speakership.” Keorapetse stated that opposition MPs have also attempted to amend some of the Bills that were brought by ministers but were defeated because the BDP used its numbers in Parliament.

“The speakership was biased and you could clearly see that they were favouring the ruling party. You would have a minister not fully answering questions or misleading Parliament but the Speaker and her deputy would not take any action. Some of these ministers are arrogant. This was a clear indication that they have been directed to be biased towards the BDP. When it comes to Private Members’ Day which is a Friday, the BDP would deliberately collapse the quorum because they get embarrassed when they are seen to reject motions which are good for Batswana,”said Keorapetse.

He also decried lack of implementation by government. He said this has a negative effect on the performance of Parliament.  MP for Letlhakeng-Lephephe and also Government Whip, Liakat Kably echoed sentiments that attendance was better this session despite room for improvement. He indicated that even the ministers were active as compared to the past sessions. Kably noted that even as whips they did not find it difficult dealing with the MPs when it comes to attending Parliament.

“We (BDP MPs) even endorsed motions brought by opposition members. When motions had value, we supported them unless we saw that the motion was of no value for the livelihood of Batswana. The fact that we supported them shows that we are here not on political lines but we are here to serve Batswana who have voted us,” said Kably.  Opposition Whip Wynter Mmolotsi said performance of Parliament should be measured by the activeness of committees. He revealed that currently the Parliament Committee system is almost dead. He said if the committees were active, they would have made follow ups on various departments and ministries to ascertain that implementation is done.

“If I was to measure the performance out of ten I would give Parliament five. Checks and balances were not done. As MPs, we do not just go to Parliament to ask questions and get answers. We have to ensure that implementation is done. Sometimes the way ministers would be answering questions is like they have not done their research or they just don’t care. Even the leader of the house does not ensure that things are in order because sometimes his ministers would not pitch up in Parliament even when they know that they have questions that should be answered.

“Our people will suffer because we are not doing what we should be doing as legislators,” he said. Mmolotsi who is also MP for Francistown South lambasted the Speaker of Parliament for failing to drive Parliament to produce the desired results.

He said this is why he had to notice a motion of no confidence on Kokorwe because she has failed Parliament. He believes Kokorwe has to be removed from the speakership. Kokorwe could not be reached for comment while her Deputy Kagiso Molatlhegi said he would not comment as Kokorwe is the principal spokesperson of Parliament.