Francistowners differ over additional constituency A CITY DIVIDED
Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown South Wynter Mmolotsi says there is no need to establish a fourth constituency in Francistown. Mmolotsi who was speaking at a meeting of the Delimitation Commission at the City of Francistown Council (COFC) said Francistown has approximately 103 497 residents, according to Statistics Botswana.
Francistown also falls below the set quota of 41 396 to have an additional constituency, as stipulated in the Constitution.
According to Mmolotsi, Francistown East has a population of 33 551, while Francistown West has 36 182, and Francistown South 33 764.
This indicates that all constituencies have a population that is less than the population quota of 41 396, therefore constituencies should remain as they are.
Chairman of the Delimitation Commission, Mokwadi Gabanagae said while the Constitution stipulates the quota, the number of inhabitants of a constituency may be greater or less than the population quota to take account of the natural community of interest, means of communication, geographical features, the density of population, and the boundaries of Tribal Territories and administrative districts.
Mmolotsi’s view is that population growth is slow in Francistown and there is no need for the fourth constituency as suggested by many.
“I don’t normally agree with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) but this time I do. Numbers don’t lie. The increase in constituencies depends on the growth of the population census and how government can afford the constituencies,” he said, backing up Khumo Maoto of the BDP.
Maoto had submitted that Francistown should remain with three constituencies because there had been a slight population increase of 5 000 people since the population census in 2011.
During the submissions, MP for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane concurred that a fourth constituency would be costly to the government. He added that Francistown should remain with its three constituencies, but that wards should be increased since some Village Development Committee (VDC) members complained about the workload.
However, submitting on behalf of the Ward Development Committee (WDC) for Monarch South, Daniel Jarabane said Francistown North should be set up as a fourth constituency.
He contended that Batswana are suffering because some of the constituencies like Francistown West are too big that the area MP cannot do regular checks on the electorate.
“All our opinions should be heard and submitted. No political opinions should be used at the expense of the majority. We urge you leaders, to take our views and opinions into consideration and that the commission should choose reasonable names of constituencies and wards that resemble and preserve our cultural identity,” Jarabane said.
Theresa Mmolawa of the Party Liaison Committee (PLC), also concurred that there is a compelling need for Francistown to establish a fourth constituency namely Francistown North. Mmolawa argued that Francistown is the second city that is growing in population.
“Railway line should be used to distinguish constituencies and not rivers. Francistown North as proposed by PLC should start from Dumela Industrial to Somerset Industrial,” she said, adding that Francistown North will be made up of Ntshe, Blue town, Prisons, Area S, light industrial, and Area W. She further proposes that Monarch should be divided to form Monarch East, South, and West since it is densely populated.
According to the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission, in carrying out its duties, the Commission works hand in hand with other stakeholders in a consultative forum, including politicians, local authorities, and the general public for ideas, advice, and views. The Commission would then be expected to submit a report to the President, stating whether any alteration is necessary to the boundaries of constituencies.
“The President shall as soon as possible after the submission of the report, by Proclamation published in the Gazette, declare the boundaries of the constituencies as delimited by the Commission,” he explained.
Gabanagae assured the public that the commission will establish a toll-free line to hear and receive representations from the public.