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Friday, 20 November 2009   |   Vol.26 No.175 
News
Kwelagobe attacks presidential immunity

Kwelagobe spoke in Parliament during the debate on President Ian Khama's State of the Nation Address.


 
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He said that for example, a president can confiscate the cattle of legislator Kentse Rammidi, who would have to wait for 10 years to seek legal remedy. Kwelagobe called for a review of the constitution and said the clause on presidential immunity needs to be changed. He said a constitutional review commission should be appointed to look into the matter holistically. The provision on presidential immunity came under the spotlight recently when the High Court cited it to deny relief to Gomolemo Motswaledi, who had been suspended by Khama from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The Court of Appeal upheld the decision.

He said the constitution needs a review because it has been in existence for a long time and its amendment has been piece meal.  Kwelagobe stated that intolerance is becoming a culture in the country, be it in churches, political parties and even football clubs. "There is a political intolerance.   When people disagree, they fight," he said. He said there will be peace when there is political tolerance. He praised Khama as a political guru. 
The MP for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi slammed the special nomination of councillors and MPs because it is a waste of tax payer's money.

 He was supported by Kwelagobe who said special nomination is used to compensate losers who destabilise those who have won elections.  The Francistown South legislator said the special nomination of councilors has caused anarchy. He said politicians always scramble for the nominations.

Legislator Samson Guma Moyo wanted to know whether  there was an element of dishonesty in this year's nomination of councillors.  "Don't you think there was something fishy," he asked Mmolotsi. "We are not happy. 

The system is unnecessary. It is a waste of government funds," said Mmolotsi.  He stated that this year, each councillor was paid P150,000 as gratuity and in five years, they might be paid around P200,000.  Mmolotsi said the money used to pay nominated councillors' can build a new hospital. He proposed that if there is need for more councillors, then wards should be increased. 

"Even in Parliament, we do not need them (nominated MPs)," he charged.

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