Legislators’ code of conduct drafted
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday July 18, 2022 06:00
According to Assistant Minister for State President, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, the code of conduct will guide legislators on how best they can carry out their duties in a respectable and responsible manner observing the very core values of Botho and Kagisano.
“The Code of Conduct will ensure that MPs serve their constituents with integrity and humility at all times and most importantly the draft is a guiding tool on how members are supposed to honourably conduct themselves in and outside Parliament,” he said.
“The Code of Conduct has been finalised and is ready for consideration by this honourable house on a day that will be agreed at the General Assembly after the draft is presented to all honourable members.”
The Gaborone South legislator also said the Code of Conduct guides on general principles of conduct such as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty to name but a few. He said also the draft also spells out what action will be taken in a case a legislator is in violation of the agreed rules of conduct.
He said it was their hope that this intervention will assist greatly to promote the desirable conduct of MPs to set a good example for the nation that they are serving.
“Botho and Kagisano have always been the core values of Batswana in general and this is communicated to Batswana at every opportunity be it at kgotla meetings, weddings, funerals, churches, schools and even in Parliament. The values define who we are and what we should strive to be at all times so that we can co-exist harmoniously and peacefully and to thrive as a nation. We therefore, cannot over-emphasise the importance to inculcate these core values in our society at every available opportunity,” he said.
Mthimkhulu was responding to a question from Gaborone North legislator, Mpho Balopi. Balopi had asked Mthimkhulu’s ministry to brief the House on steps taken to inculcate the core values of Botho and Kagisano in the society.
Balopi also wanted to know whether government is not concerned that some forms of conduct and language displayed in the National Assembly are contrary to Botswana core values; and government will not consider introducing stiff penalties for offensive conduct and language so that all leaders may be wary of the need to observe good decorum, especially in the era of live broadcast of Parliament which may set bad example to Batswana viewers.
Legislators did not ask any follow ups on the question and response.
The move comes at a time when the civil society has screamed for a code of ethics that will clearly guide how matters relating to members criminally charged, especially on issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against children are treated.
This came following reports that legislators and councillors are facing charges ranging from corruption, GBV cases, stealing from members of the public and many other malpractices.
Batswana have also after being granted an opportunity to watch Parliament proceedings expressed displeasure at some of exchanges made on the floor of Parliament.
It remains to be seen if the code of conduct will take away some liberties from legislators like freedom of expression which were guaranteed before.