The President should account to Parliament

Monitor Editor | Friday December 5, 2014 08:25

We agree with Keorapetse that the President should be forced, legally, to attend Parliament and be accountable to parliamentarians. Besides, the Constitution of Botswana recognises the President as an ex officio member of the House. In fact it is Members of Parliament (MPs) that elected the President. It is odd that the current President hardly attends Parliament to debate issues with MPs. This has always been President Ian Khama’s mondus operandi since he joined politics more than 15 years ago. 

It is important for the President to participate in parliamentary debates so he is accountable to the electorate and engages MPs. A good example is the South African parliamentary system, where the constitution prescribes that the President should account to Parliament and answer question from MPs at least four times a year.

In South Africa, President Jacob Zuma attends proceedings despite heckling and booing by his opponents. He speaks for his government, explains policies, and his decisions.

Another good example is the British parliamentary system we purport to practice here in Botswana.

The British Prime Minister stands before the House, fielding questions ranging from current affairs to policies, foreign issues and future plans. He gets grilled for the government’s failures and complemented for the successes.

Leaders who value their positions, and the people they are leading, would care more to engage in debate. Perhaps a good number of former ministers and former MPs from the ruling party can attest that their party’s refusal to take part in radio debates is part of the reason they lost the trust of the voters in the recent elections.

We support any motion calling for the President to account to the nation by way of participating in parliamentary debates. 

While still on that issue, it is our hope that the legislators will also call for live broadcasts of Parliamentary debates on national television, which has plenty of under-utilised airtime. The legislators should also amend their Standing Orders to allow for private radio stations, or any other licensed communicators to record Parliament proceedings for broadcast.

Today’s thought

“Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.” – Benjamin Disraeli