Plan to increase Specially Elected MPs divides Parliament
Spira Tlhankane | Monday May 27, 2024 08:20
The proposed dispensation, which is backed by legislators from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), is said to be focused on increasing representation of women, youth and people living with disability.
When presenting the Constitution (amendment) Bill, 2024 for a second reading this week, State President Minister Kabo Morwaeng said clause 11 of the Bill incorporates, in section 58(2), the changes agreed to (with variation) under Recommendation 26 to increase the number of SEMPs so as to be able to promote the inclusion of different groups of persons as articulated by Batswana in the report of the Commission.
The proposal to increase SEMPs was not in the recommendations report submitted by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution in 2022. The Commission held meetings in all the 57 constituencies where Batswana submitted their views. The resolution to increase SEMPs from six to 10 was instead taken by the ruling BDP during the party’s congress last year in Palapye.
In discarding the proposal in Parliament, opposition MPs took turns to highlight that increasing SEMPs was not necessary. Serowe North MP, Baratiwa Mathoothe, said the decision to increase the SEMPS was taken at the BDP congress in Palapye. He said Cabinet is bringing BDP resolutions rather than what Batswana had suggested during the nationwide consultation exercise. “Batswana had never at any point pointed out that they wished for SEMPS to be increased. “We are here to decide on the BDP wishes instead of Batswana’s views at large,” he said. Mathoothe said with the 10 SEMPs he suspects that the State President would use the opportunity to nominate people who had lost primaries or the general election. In addition, Palapye legislator Onneetse Ramogapi said the resolution according to his interpretation is a way of creating employment for the BDP members. “They want to vote for 10 BDP MPs and Dikgosi. They even want the elected SEMPS to never cross the floor once elected. Even if we nominate our people, BDP cannot vote for them,” Ramogapi said.
For his part, Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsi emphasised that instead of increasing SEMPs positions the funds should be used to create employment. “One SEMP salary covers 30 C4 salaries, so instead of crowding Parliament with your friends use this to create jobs for Batswana,” he advised BDP MPs.
He revealed that the dispensation to have SEMPs was done during a time when Batswana were not educated. “Look, now we have so many skills from doctorates to masters’ degree holders in Parliament. We no longer need any special skills,” he said. Mmolotsi added that the six SEMPs who were elected after 2019 General Election didn’t include people living with disabilities and comprised less women. Ngami MP, Caterpillar Hikuama pointed out that Batswana never wished for 10 SEMPs but rather wanted direct election of the President. “I don’t think we have reached a stage where we can choose 10 SEMPS. Even if we are talking about the marginalised and disadvantaged groups, a procedure could be crafted to help them gain entry into Parliament rather than increasing SEMPS to 10. We are supposed to bring in people with required expertise not members of political parties,” he highlighted. Hikuama said if the BDP wants more MPs then constituencies should be further increased so that the party could field in their candidates to contest for the general election.
He said if the President chooses 10 SEMPS then it will not be a promotion of democracy but rather a retrogressive move. “Elected candidates are skilled and educated, so we should not have dispensation for SEMPS which will be elected by the President at this rate,” he said, adding that parties are not failing to bring women to the fore front but rather the political system is failing women. Conversely, Kgalagadi North and BDP member Talita Monnakgotla said increasing SEMPS will positively affect women because it will increase their electability after serving as SEMPs. She said from 1974 to 1979, Specially Elected MPs were two women but afterwards 75% of women’s entry into the National Assembly has been through the SEMPS seats. Kgalagadi South legislator, Sam Brooks, said after the election before choosing the 10 SEMPs, legislators should sit down and see which skills and expertise are needed rather than rushing to fill up the 10 seats. “We should target to bring in the vulnerable tribes like Basarwa into Parliament,” he highlighted. For his part, Mogoditshane MP Tumiso Rakgare argued that increasing SEMPS will help members of the society especially the youth and women who find it difficult to penetrate the National Assembly. “I know better because I was very youthful when I made my first attempt to win a Parliamentary seat. I know better because I am the minister responsible for gender and the youth.
“We want proportional representation, therefore, there is nothing wrong with 10 SEMPs,” he said. Furthermore, Kanye South MP Dr Lemogang Kwape indicated that increasing MPs will help carve a path for women to tackle the challenging political arena where there is less representation. “The 10 SEMPS should be dominated by women followed by the youth and other underrepresented groups,” he said. Defending the BDP’s proposal to increase SEMPS, Morwaeng after presenting the Bill said varying the recommendation is not illegal and that ruling party members are also Batswana so they have the right to present their proposals. He added that even though the Commission had recommended that the current SEMPs number be retained, it s is not against the law that cabinet chose to increase it to 10. “Every Motswana has their views irrespective of political association,” he said.
Tonota legislator, Pono Moatlhodi, indicated that MPs should agree with this clause and elect 10 Specially Elected MPs after the general election. He said by increasing SEMPs they will look towards including representation of people living with disabilities, the youth and women. Moatlhodi said many parliaments in the global village are practising this arrangement today therefore, Botswana Parliament forms part of the global village. “Our women are ready for Parliamentary leadership and this is the time we have got to consider them,” he said.
Moatlhodi said they want to increase SEMPS because some political parties have not given women enough chance to contest for MP seats. “We have to strengthen women representation. Our fiscus is doing very well such that the four people that we are advocating will be completely catered for,” he said responding to the question about the budget to accommodate additional SEMPS. Speaking of budget, if Parliament approves and the proposal to increase SEMPS is amended, government will have to cater for four additional salaries and allowances for the five years between 2024 and 2029. Following April’s salaries adjustment, MPs salaries are P579, 753.50 per annum, which is P48, 312 per month. Moreover every member who attends a meeting of the Assembly or a committee of the Assembly shall receive an allowance at the rate of P517.02 for every day on which he or she attends such a meeting.