Implement the recommendations Mr. President
When he received the report on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the review of the Constitution of Botswana recently, President Mokgweetsi Masisi promised that it would be made public for the benefit of the nation. The nation is eagerly awaiting this report to have a glimpse of what the recommendations are like, possibly for further debate. Mr. President, it’s our ardent hope that true to your promises, the public will have an opportunity to peruse the report and see if it reflects their interests as the Commission went around the length and breadth of the country collecting views of the people with some choosing to write to the Commission’s secretariat. Please Mr. President don’t whittle it down for any reason!
Having gone through the report, we have noted some interesting recommendations made by the Commission to the President. A majority of these recommendations are aptly captured in the stories littering this edition.
For instance, after hearing concerned Batswana express their worries on the high cases of rape especially involving innocent minors, the Commission has recommended that anyone who is convicted of raping a child under the age of 12 should be sentenced to death.
We know others had even recommended that the offending organ be cut off to send a clear message to all and sundry. Whether this is the best solution or not, this recommendation sums up frustrations from Batswana. It shows that the populace is fed up with perpetrators of these offences.
At long last, the President will have to decisively deal with the concerns of the people in terms of enhancing our democracy through all party funding which has been harped over the years without a move by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since 1966.
Accusations have been flying thick and fast that the ruling party was comfortable with the status quo. Critics allege the BDP uses its position to receive ‘kick backs’ for sustenance. This is depicted by recent allegations already made in court by some of the President’s relatives who continue to wash the party’s dirty linen in public and in the process dragging the name of the BDP and its government in the mud.
Amongst others, even after the issue of direct election of the President featured prominently during the Commission‘s consultation meetings, it’s shocking to say the least that the voices of the people to change the way the President is elected have been shot down preferring to maintain the status quo. In modern democracies, election of State President is a rigorous exercise that entails the First Citizens facing and accounting to the people than simply their party.
The report made by the Commission is full of recommendations that if taken seriously could unite this nation even further. Recommendations on tribal balance or equity should be taken seriously 56 years later into our independence. Mr. President review of the Constitution is a rare exercise and the recommendations should be taken seriously than allowing them to gather dust at your office.