Only MPs in Botswana can attend Parly virtually
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chief whip, Liakat Kablay says the move by Parliament to block any of its members from attending a sitting while outside the country is not a means to target any parliamentarian.
The chief whip told The Monitor on Saturday that virtual meetings should be attended by Members of Parliament (MPs) who are in the country.
This comes after legislators agreed on a policy to bar all those attending from outside the country.
The move has irked opposition Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) whose one of its Parliamentary representative, Tshekedi Khama, is currently on exile in South Africa (SA).
“This move is not targeting Khama like others want to put it. All MPs are expected to be in the country unless someone has notified the Speaker of the National Assembly. Why should we let someone discuss issues of our country while not in the country?,” said Kablay.
“We expect MPs to get their motions and questions from their constituents. For example, if I stay in Malawi or Tanzania, whom will I be representing or speaking on behalf of? Of course, even if some MPs have been assigned outside the country, the Speaker will know and notify Parliament like it has been the procedure. Parliament procedures must be clear to everyone and we should all adhere to it.”
He further pointed out that the same policy applies to ministers and BDP MPs alike when they are outside the country.
On the issue of Khama, Kablay said currently he has not missed Parliament since he has been contributing while in South Africa and the policy was not yet approved or adopted.
Moreover, he said Khama would have to be back in the country if he wants to attend Parliament since he would not be allowed to contribute to parliamentary sessions while outside the country.
Again, Kablay said Parliament will soon be going back to its normal procedure and sittings will no longer be held virtually. Therefore, MPs will be expected to attend Parliament physically.
He said if an MP misses three Parliament sittings then his constituency will be declared vacant which will automatically call for a by-election.
Still, it is yet to be seen if Khama will attend the November sitting which will be held physically. Khama is an MP for the Serowe West constituency.
Khama and his elder brother and former president, Ian Khama are currently on self-imposed exile in South Africa. This came after some family members were arrested and taken in for questioning by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) at its offices in Sebele.
So far, the former president is facing 13 charges that range from illegal acquisition, unlawful possession, and stealing of firearms.
Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) spokesperson, Lawrence Ookeditse said they were not surprised.
“It is not surprising, yet another shenanigan by the BDP trying to cling on to power. You will remember Khama (Tshekedi) threw blows in Parliament. We knew they would want to stop our striker from continuing to land painful blows on the likes of Kgotla Autlwetse,” he said.
“We are not surprised or disappointed. We intend to seek legal advice. Together with other political parties, we continue to engage on the matter. This is witchcraft. If someone is concerned about life and flees while able to represent people through online platforms, what then is wrong with allowing them to continue doing so?,” he added. Ookeditse said it was senseless to preach the Fourth Industrial Revolution and then exclude travelling legislators.