UDC reject Constitutional Bill

The Umbrella for Democratic Change will at the end of the Second Reading of the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill propose for the Bill to be subjected to a Special Select Committee.This was said by the Leader of Opposition, Dithapelo Keorapetse this week when debating the Constitution Amendment Bill 2024 Published in the Government Gazette on March 2024. He told Parliament that the UDC will move in accordance with Standing Order 75 and propose that the Bill be committed to a Special Select Committee on the Review of the Constitution with all parties represented therein to field submissions from Batswana about the Bill and advise Parliament on the way forward.He said they advise Batswana that in the words of Ernesto Che Guevara, “Liberators do not exist, The people liberate themselves.” Keorapetse argues that the Bill is a fraudulent document. “It is a draconian document. It encapsulates narrow views of the executive and not the people. It is an emotive piece of legislative proposal aimed at among others, Ian Khama and Unity Dow.“The government is not prepared to listen to anyone. They just want to tick the box to go to the 2024 polls and say 'promise delivered.' Whilst there is a consensus in Botswana that there is need for a review of our Parent Act, this does not in any way entitle anyone, however powerful they may think they are to dominate the whole process to the detriment of everyone else,” Keorapetse said.He stated that the UDC has objected to the Commission of Inquiries Act in that it cements the powers of the President. He explained that it allows the President to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into any matter he alone, deems fit to be inquired into.Keorapetse's argument is that the Commission of Inquiries Act gives the President the right to select the Chairperson of the Commission, his deputy if need be, the Commissioners and its Secretariat. Further, that the President decides whether the Commission sits in public or camera and the duration of its work.The president has the right to stop it at any time for any reason and has the sole prerogative of receiving the report and determining whether it stays secret or it is published. He also decides on whether to act in full or in part or completely not on the report. Keorapetse believes that this law empowers the President to effectively choreograph the process of Constitutional Review to basically make it his project to serve his interests.Keorapetse, who is also MP for Selibe Phikwe West pointed out that when the President invoked this law he was essentially communicating to Batswana that the process was his initiative and that he will act in his own deliberate judgment and that the outcome would be his desires. He said the UDC prophetically warned and decided not to legitimise the process by accordingly not participating in the charade.“If con artists had a mascot, it would President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Since he ascended to the high office of President, he has through his assertions, public declarations and actions behaved like sophist who tries to pull the wool over our eyes.“He has presented ideas that look credible and believable on the surface, but fallacious beneath the façade. President Masisi and his administration, have behaved like a con artist who deceives people into believing that he is very much on their side,” Keorapetse said.He told Parliament that often, Masisi would pose as a caring President who has the best interests of Batswana at heart.According to Keorapetse, President Masisi has conned Batswana into believing that he is giving them a great deal when he was busy arranging everything so that he either ends up with a much better deal himself, or his party, his cronies and/or friends and he continuously attempts to scam Batswana out of their votes and goodwill.“The ruling elites seek to commit a big fraud by presenting their views as the views of the people. The President has moved with consummate guile to consolidate his power and authority and seek to use Parliament to enact a law to capture his desires.“We suggest that the process should have begun with extensive public education and awareness. Not many people in Botswana have seen or read the Constitution. It was unfair to go straight into asking them what strengths and weaknesses were there in.“The Constitution is written in English and does not exists in many languages spoken in Botswana and it is not an easy to find and carry around document”, he said.The LOO indicated that pocket size copy of the Constitution does not exist and UDC takes a view that this ought to have long been done. That is why many Batswana bombarded the Commission with policy issues and bread and butter issues that affected them, some of which had little to do with the Constitution.

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UDC reject Constitutional Bill