The BDP way or the highway

BDP set the tone for the review Commission recommends against public opinion Opposition reject the Report, seeks legal advice

While the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution has set tongues wagging with the public criticising most of the recommendations by the commission, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) is the biggest benefactor from the report, Botswana Guardian has established.

The 18- member commission led by retired Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo which was appointed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi on 17th December 2021 recently handed over its report to the president after a nine- months tour of the country.

The Report has been received with mixed feeling by members of the society especially on some of the recommendations which went against public opinion and others which are already in motion.

While many criticised some of the recommendations including opposition political parties, the BDP on the other hand will be the biggest winner if the president approves most of the recommendations.

From the beginning the establishment of the commission has been marred by controversy with some sectors of the society questioning the terms of reference for the commission and accusing Masisi of failure to take on board key stakeholders ahead of appointing the commission. The opposition indicated that the whole process is a fraud and called on the public not to participate in it.

The Commission has recommended to the President that the call for direct election of the president should not be acceded to because it has shown in other democracies to be risky and could destabilise the country.

President Masisi together with Minister for State President have on several platforms spoken against the direct election of the President. The commission, while advising against the direct election of the president admits however that majority of Batswana called for such, as is the case with Members of Parliament and Councillors. Reasons advanced for the direct election of the president were that it will enhance the democratic dispensation in Botswana by essentially transferring power to the electorate. It was submitted that the direct election of the president gives the electorate the opportunity to independently cast a ballot for a presidential candidate, thus holding the president accountable for policy outlines which he or she promised.

Those in favour of the current system of election of the President through a majority of elected Members of Parliament contended that this system has preserved stability and peace in Botswana since independence. The commission agrees that direct election of the president has not worked well in some countries. Further, it takes the view that if the President is directly elected, there is a risk of candidacy based on the person’s wealth notwithstanding that the person does not have a support structure in the form of a political party and/ or ideology.

The BDP has scored big also after resolving for the dismantling of the central district during its 58th National Council in July this year in Gaborone. The party has argued that this was meant to make it easy for distribution of services. The council resolution is viewed by many as an indirect ploy to dismantle the Central District and appease many who have been agitating for independence from the Khama dynasty.

Widely known as GaMmangwato, the Central District is the largest in Botswana, with a population of over 575 000. It is the traditional homeland of the Bangwato. The Serowe Administrative Authority, lords over the whole Central District and supersedes all other minority sub- districts like Bobonong, Letlhakane, Mahalapye, Tutume, Tonota and Palapye.

Government has approved that 11- sub districts be upgraded to full district under phase one. The Sub- Districts which have been approved for upgrading under Phase 1 are Goodhope, Molepolole, Mogoditshane, Letlhakeng, Mahalapye, Tutume, Boteti, Maun, Okavango, Tsabong and Hukuntsi.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kgotla Autlwetse recently stated that the necessary processes and procedures meant to facilitate implementation of this decision have started. The Minister explained that in accordance with the provisions of Local Government Act of 2012, which outline the statutory functions of Councils and all governance issues administered by Councils, Government has approved a request to restructure seven Councils by upgrading 15 Subordinate Authorities to fully- fledged Councils and merge seven Subordinate Authorities with District Headquarters.

While the process is ongoing, the Commission has recommended same in its report. Interestingly the Commission has