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YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

THETHE SECOND FIRST MEETING MEETING OF THE O SECONDF THE FIFTH SESSION SESSION OF THE OF THE ELEVENTWELFTH PARLIAMENTTH PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2020

MIXEDENGLISH VERSION VERSION HANSARDHANSARD NO. NO: 193 200

DISCLAIMER Uno cial Hansard This transcript of Parliamentary proceedings is an uno cial version of the Hansard and may contain inaccuracies. It is hereby published for general purposes only. The nal edited version of the Hansard will be published when available and can be obtained from the Assistant Clerk (Editorial). THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER The Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani PH, MP. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP. ( East)

Clerk of the National Assembly - Ms B. N. Dithapo Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly - Mr L. T. Gaolaolwe Learned Parliamentary Counsel - Ms M. Mokgosi Assistant Clerk (E) - Mr R. Josiah CABINET His Excellency Dr M. E. K. Masisi, MP. - President

His Honour S. Tsogwane, MP. (Boteti West) - Vice President Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Hon. K. N. S. Morwaeng, MP. ( South) - Administration

Hon. K. T. Mmusi, MP. (-Mmankgodi) - Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Hon. Dr L. Kwape, MP. (Kanye South) - Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Hon. E. M. Molale, MP. (Goodhope-Mabule ) - Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. K. S. Gare, MP. (-Manyana) - Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation Hon. P. K. Kereng, MP. (Specially Elected) - and Tourism Hon. Dr E. G. Dikoloti MP. (Mmathethe-Molapowabojang) - Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. T.M. Segokgo, MP. () - Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. K. Mzwinila, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. T. M. Rakgare, MP. () - Development

Hon. A. M. Mokgethi, MP. ( Bonnington North) - Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Hon. Dr T. Matsheka, MP. () - Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. F. M. M. Molao, MP. (Shashe West) - Minister of Basic Education Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Hon. Dr D. Letsholathebe, MP. (Tati East) - Technology Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Hon. L. M. Moagi, MP. () - Energy Security

Hon. P. O. Serame, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Hon. M. Balopi, MP. (Gaborone North) - Development

Hon. M. Kgafela, MP. (Mochudi West) - Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development

Assistant Minister, Presidential Affairs, Governance and Hon. D. M. Mthimkhulu, MP. (Gaborone South) - Public Administration Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. K. K. Autlwetse, MP. (Specially Elected) - Development Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. S. N. Modukanele, MP. ( -Maunatlala) - Development Assistant Minister, Agricultural Development and Food Hon. B. Manake, MP. (Specially Elected) - Security

Hon. S. Lelatisitswe, MP. (Boteti East) - Assistant Minister, Health and Wellness

Hon. N. W. T. Makwinja, MP. (-) - Assistant Minister, Basic Education

Hon. M. S. Molebatsi, MP. (Mmadinare) - Assistant Minister, Investment, Trade and Industry Assistant Minister, Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. H. B. Billy, MP. ( East) - Development Hon. M. R. Shamukuni, MP. (Chobe) - Assistant Minister,Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND THEIR CONSTITUENCIES

Names Constituency

RULING PARTY ( Democratic Party) Hon. L. Kablay, MP. (Government Whip) - Hon. Dr U. Dow, MP. Specially Elected Hon. M. R. Reatile, MP. -Mabutsane Hon. P. Majaga, MP. Nata- Hon. J. S. Brooks, MP. Kgalagadi South Hon. C. Greeff, MP. Gaborone Bonnington South Hon. T. Letsholo, MP. Kanye North Hon. T. F. Leuwe, MP. Hon. T. Mangwegape-Healy, MP. Gaborone Central Hon. S. N. Moabi, MP. Tati West Hon. T. Monnakgotla, MP. Kgalagadi North Hon. P. K. Motaosane, MP. - Hon. O. Regoeng, MP. Molepolole North Hon. J. L. Thiite, MP. North OPPOSITION (Umbrella for Democratic Change) Hon. D. Saleshando, MP. (Leader of the Opposition) Maun West Hon. A. Lesaso, MP. (Acting Opposition Whip) Hon. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. Selebi Phikwe West Hon. Y. Boko, MP East Hon. Dr K. Gobotswang, MP. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Hon. C. K. Hikuama, MP. Ngami Hon. K. K. Kapinga, MP Okavango Hon. G. Kekgonegile, MP. Maun East Hon. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. Hon. T. B. Lucas, MP. Hon. M. G. J. Motsamai, MP. Ghanzi South Hon. K. Nkawana, MP. Selebi Phikwe East Hon. O. Ramogapi, MP. Hon. Dr N. Tshabang, MP. Nkange Hon. D. Tshere, MP. Mahalapye West Hon. M. I. Moswaane, MP. Francistown West (Botswana Patriotic Front) Hon. T. S. Khama, MP. West Hon. L. Lesedi, MP. Serowe South Hon. B. Mathoothe, MP. Serowe North (Alliance for Progressives) Hon. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. Francistown South TABLE OF CONTENTS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2020

CONTENTS PAGE (S)

SPEAKER’S ANNOUNCEMENT...... 1

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER...... 1-13

STATEMENT 16 Days of Activism for Prevention of Gender Based Violence...... 14-21

Response To The President’s Speech Motion(Resumed Debate)...... 22-34

Wednesday 25th November, 2020 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Wednesday 25th November, 2020 (i) the total amount used for the refurbishment and/or construction of Botswana airports in the past ten THE ASSEMBLY met at 2:00 p.m. financial years; (THE SPEAKER in the Chair) (ii) how Botswana airports rank in terms of traffic P R A Y E R S (number of landing and departing aeroplanes); and

* * * * (iii) if the amount of money invested for refurbishment or construction is aligned to current or anticipated SPEAKER’S ANNOUNCEMENT traffic.

MR SPEAKER (MR SKELEMANI): Order! Order! ACTING MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND Honourable Members, good afternoon. We should start COMMUNICATIONS (MS SERAME): Thank business of today with questions. you Mr Speaker. Good afternoon, let me greet all the Honourable Members on this special day. If you allow MR MOATLHODI: Procedure Mr Speaker. I have Mr Speaker, I will summarise my elaborate response humbled myself Mr Speaker. I do not know whether it which is six pages long and I will also undertake to share is procedure or what, I seek your guidance. It is a painful a copy with the Honourable Leader of the Opposition. day today as women all over the country have converged Thank you sir. in Hukuntsi to commemorate the fight against gender based violence. I plead before you Mr Speaker whether (i) Mr Speaker, the total amount used for you do not see it fit to allow us to have a moment of refurbishment and/or construction of Botswana silence for a minute, before we start the business of airports in the past 10 years is P2. 670 billion, today, to remember our women, children, sisters and made up of projects as follows: relatives who have lost their lives due to gender based violence. Also to ask God to accept their souls and curb (1) International Airport future deaths due to gender based violence. I am done • The total amount spent was P685 million Mr Speaker. over the period I have just mentioned. MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Moatlhodi. We are going to deal with the issue of this very (2) Maun International Airport: important day after the questions. I think we should • P787 million for the same period. be able to allow more Members to come in. Certainly it is quite proper what you are saying, that we should (3) Sir Seretse Khama International Airport: observe, so that even those who are outside can know • P724 million. what this day means to you as people’s representatives. So, Honourable Members, can you take your seats so (4) PG Matante International Airport: that we proceed. • P474 million over the same period. …Silence… (ii) Mr Speaker, in terms of aircraft traffic (landing and MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, departing), Maun Airport is the busiest, followed as I said, we are going to be observing this day as I see by Sir Seretse Khama, Kasane and PG Matante from my papers, that the Chairperson of the Caucus International Airports. on Women has a statement to make. I think just before we call her to do that, we will then observe moment In terms of passenger traffic (landing and of silence. Let us deal with questions Honourable departing), Sir Seretse Khama is the busiest, Members. followed by Maun, Kasane and PG Matante QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER International Airports.

BOTSWANA AIRPORTS Mr speaker, I have tables that show for each airport, the year from 2011 up to 2020. In 2020, the MR D. SALESHANDO (MAUN WEST): asked the period covers January up to October. It shows the Minister of Transport and Communications to state: year, landing plane in terms of passenger aircraft

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and well as departing. I will share that information with the Honourable Member.

(a) Sir Seretse Khama International Airport

No. Year Landing Planes Departing Planes Aircraft Passenger Aircraft Passenger 1. 2011 8520 211521 8402 212033 2. 2012 8081 200592 8075 206248 3. 2013 8219 199626 8267 202199 4. 2014 8241 191237 8307 193139 5. 2015 8697 189309 8866 192883 6. 2016 8688 200478 8751 202387 7. 2017 7949 211229 8031 213411 8. 2018 7931 223064 8051 224122 9. 2019 8121 234153 8174 236819 10. 2020 (January to 2442 52217 2465 47250 October)

(b) Maun International Airport

No. Year Landing Planes Departing Planes Aircraft Passenger Aircraft Passenger 1. 2011 23439 110803 24069 111649 2. 2012 23782 115483 23927 114168 3. 2013 26511 119749 26394 118590 4. 2014 24864 117643 24870 116492 5. 2015 21154 108886 21096 108072 6. 2016 22384 116272 22402 114845 7. 2017 24162 124515 24143 122817 8. 2018 24826 136134 24873 135278 9. 2019 24107 138565 24323 139691 10. 2020(January to 4776 27039 4794 26862 October)

(c) Kasane International Airport

No. Year Landing Planes Departing Planes Aircraft Passenger Aircraft Passenger 1. 2011 7219 41189 7210 43990 2. 2012 6188 37549 6210 37091 3. 2013 6743 47740 6778 49416 4. 2014 6921 45043 6887 47622 5. 2015 5828 38932 5837 42049 6. 2016 6016 41667 6005 46126 7. 2017 6373 44615 6360 52360 8. 2018 6519 48846 6523 58232

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9. 2019 6362 51328 6348 62111 10. 2020(January to 798 7102 791 8586 October)

(d) PG Matante International Airport

No. Year Landing Planes Departing Planes Aircraft Passenger Aircraft Passenger 1. 2011 1597 28267 1574 27126 2. 2012 1543 22803 1544 22334 3. 2013 1361 22575 1373 22141 4. 2014 1270 21056 1269 20551 5. 2015 1229 19670 1228 19540 6. 2016 1279 20988 1273 20626 7. 2017 1154 18750 1149 18736 8. 2018 1325 18590 1315 18108 9. 2019 1145 17726 1139 16892 10. 2020(January to 336 3705 328 3322 October)

(iii) The amount of money invested for the refurbishment and/or construction of airports was based on the forecasted traffic for the airport at the time of the feasibility study and was based on a planning window of 15 to 20 years. Normally, reviews of the airport master plans are conducted every five years to align traffic projections with actual statistics and make the necessary modification. Reviews of master plans for Sir Seretse Khama and PG Matante Airports were conducted in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Master plan reviews for Maun and Kasane Airports are the next to be done.

Mr Speaker, we will also provide passenger traffic projections for the period 2010-2030. We shall share with the Honourable Member.

In this Mr Speaker, the capacities of airports as we plan will then be informed by these projections looking at the number of passengers as well as other traffic.

Airport 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

SSKIA Projected 390 000 510 000 670 000 870 000 1 239 500 Actual 425 825 382 192 99 467* MIA Projected 306 000 417 000 569 000 773 840 1 052 000 Actual 207 671 216 959 53 901*

KIA Projected 91 000 147 000 216 000 289 000 387 000 Actual 67 633 80 981 15 688* PGMIA Projected 41 600 57 100 78 500 100 340 109 397 Actual 47 332 39 210 7 027*

In addition, Mr Speaker, various events, including the SARS disease outbreak, and others have affected air travel globally. In addition, the closure of several mines in Botswana and opening up of other businesses in-country also have had an impact on the traffic volumes at our various airports. Consequently, this led to airports not being fully utilised to their anticipated potential. If you look at our projects for in terms of traffic for the different airports, what

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we have Mr Speaker is far below what was projected to have been cheaper as compared to the current high costs be the actual volumes of traffic at this particular point incurred for extension and relocation of people? The in time. new one which is coming, when you compare its funds and those for moving it, would it not be better to build a I therefore conclude, Mr Speaker that the amount of new aiport rather than spending hundreds of millions in money invested in our airports was aligned to the bits and pieces for making parking lots only? anticipated traffic as informed by the feasibility studies. MS SERAME: Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable Those studies indicated that there would be a need to Kekgonegile, the plan is not just to make parking lots increase capacity in some of our airports but current Honourable. As I was explaining, we are in phase one, trends indicate that the existing capacity will be adequate we shall proceed to phase two. up to the year 2030. I thank you Mr Speaker. Let me also explain that, I know that at the time when MR SALESHANDO: Supplementary. Thank you Mr talks were held regarding how the refurbishment or Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister whether he is expansion of the airport would be done, there were aware that a lot of funds have been used for the past ten views whether it could be taken to Chanoga or not. At years for the refurbishment of Maun airport, about P787 that time, when we reviewed the reasons, we ended up million yet it is the smallest when compared to other where we are, as you talked about those who were moved airports? Even with the recurrent refurbishment, in to Disaneng. At the moment I am not in a position to say terms of volume, it is the most congested as compared let us re look at it and decide whether to move it to to other airports. How did it happen for huge funds Chanoga or not. It is an issue which is going to require amounting to P787 million to give us the smallest airport another feasibility study, and I believe where we are Mr in Maun whereas minimal funds of P685 million gave Speaker, based on our initial evaluations which we did us a better airport in Kasane? before making the decision, we believe we are at the MS SERAME: I thank you Mr Speaker, Honourable right stage, the airport can be expansion where it is, I Member I understand what you are saying that the thank you Mr Speaker. amount of P787 is the highest when compared to others, MR LUCAS: Supplementary Mr Speaker. In the past, but let me explain that this is only phase one, we believe the Honourable Minister responsible for Wildlife and that we will spend more to expand the Maun airport like Tourism, talked about the possibility of having direct you are saying. flights from Dubai to Maun. So, my question is, is the Mr Speaker, when we build or refurbish, there are a expansion of Maun aiport, which costed huge amounts number of factors which at the end determine what the of funds catering for a possibility of direct flights from total cost will be. Since they are not in the same location, places like Dubai? If it caters for direct flights from it means their costs differ based on location, and the countries like Dubai, then when should we expect scale at which the refurbishment started : that is why them to operate? We do not want a situation where you see the figures being different at the end. For me to refurbishments are done and from there direct flights get some of the specific details that may be required by come in about five years or 10 years. I thank you. the Honourable Member, it would mean I should go and MS SERAME: I thank you Mr Speaker. Regarding sit down again and request further detailed breakdown direct flights Honourable Member, like I was saying, we of the P787 over the years from 2011 up to 2020 Mr are on phase one, we shall be proceeding to phase two, Speaker. I thank you. and we believe extending the airport will be able to cater for bigger airplanes to land in the Maun airport. MR KEKGONEGILE: Further supplementary. I thank you Mr Speaker. Good afternoon Honourable Members. Mr Speaker, let me state that, I am not in a position to Honourable Minister, the refurbishment of the Maun answer the issue of when we will start having direct airport forced people to be relocated to Disaneng, and flights from Dubai, Emirates to Maun, because talks a lot of funds were used, even now it seems like a lot have to made. Where we are right now is that, Emirates funds have been used but to make parking lots only. airlines specifically have shown interest in starting to There was a suggestion that it should go to Chanoga, land in Botswana. We are still in talks Mr Speaker, so and not be built there, so based on your findings at the I am not in a position to give an assurance that we can ministry, had the airport gone to Chanoga, would it not start next year or whichever time. We are hoping that

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as we are engaging in talks, in the not so distant future I do not believe that building a school in Gantsi is the one they will also start flying directly into Botswana. I thank thing that can hinder us from taking capacity building to you Mr Speaker. people in Gantsi and nearby villages. As the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, we have MR MAJAGA: Further supplementary. I thank you started conducting training for farmers in collaboration Honourable Minster. I thank the Honourable Member with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural who asked the question. Mr Speaker, I would like to Resources (BUAN). We have about five rural training ask the Minister that, since as the leadership we can see centres in Botswana, being Ramatlabama, Nxaraga, even though most of us are not engineers by profession, Lobu, Impala, Mahalapye, Denman in Gaborone, and why can he not build an airport in Chanoga, and leave the one in Maun which is nearer to Gantsi. When we that one because we know that in Southern Africa Maun have training, we take people from anywhere in the receives many airplanes? We can refer to the old airport country and take them there, we even have a budget as is looking the fact that, in the future tourism will be which is dedicated for training on various topics, when a source of income as it is the case in Seychelles. Our the need arises. tourism economy is diverse so we are going to have direct flights to Maun and Kasane, and this requires Honourable Member let me assure you that as we are airports of high standard. Why can we not do justice here, in Serowe or Central District, they have started for ourselves now rather than in five years, when it will training on fish farming and small stock production. be expensive to build an airport at Chanoga? That other What we do as a ministry is that, we call farmers for one will also be used; we know the situation in Maun registration for people who would like to be trained regarding flights. Thank you. in such things. So these are some of the things we are doing, and where necessary or where possible, we have MS SERAME: Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable started going around farms. We call famers to a certain Majaga, I thank you Honourable Member. Mr Speaker, farm of someone who is doing better, and then we share I hear the Honourable member saying, although we knowledge as a demonstration on site. have conducted a study as the ministry, their advice as the leadership is that, we should go and do another study Lobu is set up as a demonstration farm which does and see how we move going forward. It is an advice that this job since resources are already limited, we cannot I can take Mr Speaker, despite the plans that we have, manage to build schools all over Botswana. That is why to look at all these reasons as a ministry. We should we are saying that Lobu is a centre of excellence as far also engage all stakeholders, dialogue with them going as small stock production is concerned. We are going to forward. I thank you Mr Speaker. send our people there in adequate numbers as per the AGRICULTURE SCHOOL IN GHANZI COVID regulations. I thank you Mr Speaker.

MR M. G. J. MOTSAMAI (GHANZI SOUTH): MR MOTSAMAI: Supplementary. Mr Speaker, I hear asked the Minister of Agricultural Development and the Minister. There is an issue that I want them to correct. Food Security if he will consider opening an Agriculture When they respond, they have a tendency of saying that School in Ghanzi looking at the potential of the area they cannot implement developments every where. You in terms of physical demonstration, whereby students are referring to our respective constituencies as “every can get opportunities for practical demonstrations and where” I have observed that thing for a very long time experience from cattle farmers. and it troubles me when you refer to my constituency as “everywhere” ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS Minister, can you not do research to see if Botswana MANAKE): Thank you Mr Speaker, and thank you University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Honourable Motsamai. Mr Speaker, as the Ministry of (BUAN) cannot have multiple campuses in Agricultural Development and Food Security, we realise constituencies that you are referring to as “everywhere ” the importance of capacity building or empowerment ? So that those people can acquire the skills while they when it comes to issues of agriculture, because we are there. I am asking this question because it would be believe it is the only way we can move from where we easy for these people to acquire the education that you are to the next level of production; as well as enable us have been talking about. Basically Ghanzi is the hub of to increase our food production to the highest level. . agriculture.

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Mr Speaker, the last one is that ,we have to know that areas which Honourable Motsamai has been talking there are no institutions or developments where people about; Ghanzi or the Greater Kgalagadi. The question is, of Ghanzi constituency can acquire skills or knowledge does the government not intend to open a BUAN campus from, which corresponds with Agriculture. People of at Kgalagadi, Ghanzi and Pandamatenga, looking at Ghanzi are often loaded in trucks to go to the areas what that campus is going to specialise on? Do you not which you are talking about. They are taken all over. plan to introduce multiple campuses at BUAN in areas When are you going to board trucks to go and acquire like Ghanzi and Pandamatenga? skills at Ghanzi? When are we going to have a school there since they also want to take pride in the fact that, MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Studies there is an institution in places like Karakubis? There have been conducted to see what we can provide as a is also plenty of water which we are even supplying to demonstration centre.; something that the government Kgalagadi Constituency. Thank you Mr Speaker. already has to strengthen the education that we talked about with regards to commercial farming, citing Lobu MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you as an example. There are possibilities that Lobu can Honourable Motsamai. Ghanzi South and Ghanzi North be turned into a demonstration campus of BUAN. As constituencies are not “everywhere” I was referring to you already know, we cannot go to Pandamatenga and the whole of Botswana. We are not going to implement build a school there just because they are the hub of developments that you are requesting or anything that commercial farming or arable farming. There are Health is needed in all the areas. There are some areas that institutions in Gaborone, but we cannot move them to we will continue to provide with services. I am talking other areas just because there are many sick people about established areas which we cannot take a long there. I am saying that the resources and facilities that period of time developing or building. The question we have as the Ministry of Agricultural Development where you are asking if we cannot do researches, we and Food Security and our parastatals, we are going to can do them but looking at how they can be done. I use them to the advantage of the people to make sure have already said that we are reviewing those things. that we capacitate people to the levels that we require so We have also started to realise that it is important to be that we boost our agricultural sector. We should allow in partnership with commercial farmers and small scale our students at BUAN and farmers who are hands on to farmers because they are the ones who have techniques learn from what is there. We have those things, we just in livestock farming that we are seeing at Ghanzi South have to amend them so that they can be in the state that and Ghanzi North. We believe that they have quality as we wish to work in. I thank you Mr Speaker. compared to others. ROAD TENDERS IN KGATLENG Honourable Motsamai, we have realised that when we talk about developments in Botswana, we talk about MR M. M. PULE (MOCHUDI EAST): asked the buildings or infrastructure. Developments are not only Minister of Transport and Communications: in the form of buildings, they can be in the form of (i) to provide a list of companies and their Directors education which no one can take away from you. Your who were awarded tenders to maintain and children are also going to inherit it. When you board grade the Mochudi--Oliphant Drift, trucks, as we have started to board them to go for Mokatse-Radikolo, Modipane-Ntswana-la-theko training at Ghanzi, we should come with that knowledge and -Sedibelo Roads from 2014-2019; and extend it to our neighbors. The assessments as you have said, we are going to do them but partnership with (ii) if he is aware that these companies are doing a commercial farmers is already there as well as BUAN. very shoddy job and what measures are put in Where possible, since right now we are challenged with place to ensure that they do a good job; the pandemic, we are going to continue to go to farmers so as to reduce the travelling costs to other areas. Thank (iii) to update this Honourable House on efforts by you Mr Speaker. the Council in ensuring that the gravel and gazetted roads in Kgatleng are properly MR KEORAPETSE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr looked after; and Speaker. Honourable Minister, in Botswana, commercial arable farming is mostly found at Pandamatenga, (iv) when these roads were last graded and if not, why whereas commercial pastoral farming was centered in not.

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ACTING MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS (MS SERAME): Thank you Mr Speaker. (i) Mr Speaker, seven companies were awarded the tenders to maintain and grade the indicated roads from 2014 to 2019. I have with me a table that outline the different roads and the details and I will just summarise and also share with the Honourable Member.

COMPANY CONTRACT PROJECT NAME CONTRACTOR YEAR DIRECTOR SUM Sand cushioning, dry grading Client Investments Mr Clint 2015/2016 P3,399,734.80 and regravelling of Modipane (Pty) Ltd Ndiwene - Mabalane (24 km) (Modipane – Dikwididi – Ntswana la theko) Dry grading of Dinogeng Kasalwa Services ( Mr Oshinka 2014/2015 P2,791,084.51 (Mochudi) – Katane (47km) Pty) Ltd Mosoma Dry grading and gravelling of Tec Tec Investments Mr Odinga 2015/2016 P2,154,774.72 Malolwane –Phala Camp Section (Pty) Ltd Seabelo A (35 km) (first section of the Malolwane – Oliphant’s Drift– – Phala Camp road) Dry grading and gravelling of Labok Holdings Mr Solomon 2015/2016 P2,708,759.20 Malolwane –Phala Camp Section (Pty) Ltd Diphoko B (35 km) (second section of the Malolwane – Oliphant’s Drift– Ramotlabaki – Phala Camp road) Dry grading and gravelling Aupa Construction Mr Freddie 2014/2015 P2,767,996.00 of Malolwane –Phalla Camp (Pty) Ltd Mogomotsi Section C (42 km) (third section of the Malolwane – Oliphant’s Drift– Ramotlabaki – Phala Camp road) Dry grading and gravelling Radified Holding Ms Lizzy 2017/2018 P4,043,971.12 of Malolwane –Phalla Camp (Pty) Ltd Diphoko Section A(38 km) Dry grading and gravelling R.C.L. Engineering Mr Jade Solomon 2017/2018 P6,995,945.54 of Malolwane –Phalla Camp and Construction Section C (38 km) (Pty) Ltd

(ii) Mr Speaker, I can confirm that when the dry grading was outsourced, the contractors were supervised by competent officers in the department and that was up to 2019. Since September 2019, the dry grading has been done by the Roads Department in-house team. This team covers a large area, and the frequency of grading is lower than when the work was outsourced to private contractors. It is also evident Mr Speaker, that in some roads, the traffic volumes have increased over time. My ministry intends to re-introduce outsourcing of dry grading on these roads; funds permitting. This measure will improve the condition of the roads as they will be maintained more frequently. (iii) The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will be better placed to update this Honourable House on the arrangements that are in place for Kgatleng District Council to ensure that roads that fall on their purview are properly looked after. For those falling under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, resources based in both Mochudi and Gaborone have been in place to carry out and manage all maintenance of roads under the ministry’s jurisdiction.

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(iv) The above listed roads were recently maintained MR SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I think you by dry grading as follows: have got a total misapprehension. I remember what I said. The basis of our ruling was and is weighing the • Dry grading of Modipane - Mabalane which undeniable superintendence that Parliament must have nd is 24 kilometres (km); this was done on the 2 over the Executive, and the privacy of those whose th November 2020 to 8 November 2020. names are required to be produced. I found that the • For Dinogeng - Katane - Oliphant’s Drift superintendence by Parliament could be exercised - Ramotlabaki - Phala Camp which is 145 without the names. That was the basis of the ruling. Now kilometres; this was done from the 2nd October Honourable Member, you are saying that the names of 2020 to 19th October 2020. directors of companies which are alleged to have done shoddy jobs are being made available. Is that it? • For Katane - Malolwane which is 42 kilometres; th th 20 October 2020 to 30 October 2020. MR KEORAPETSE: No, Mr Speaker, I am on • For Modipane - Mochudi which is Mokatse - provision of names of companies and their directors that Radikolo (25 kilometres); 9th November 2020 to Honourable Pule is asking for. Therefore I was saying, 14th November 2020. considering the ruling you made Mr Speaker that it will be violation of rights to have names of people revealed • For Dikwididi - Nthopeng which is 24 in Parliament, do you not think this answer contravenes kilometres; (the ministry is maintaining the that ruling you made, especially considering that these road linking Dikwididi to Mochudi through companies or directors are not here to respond on Nthopeng not Sedibelo); and the 24 kilometres was maintained from 15th November 2020 to the accusations of shoddy jobs? Maybe they have a 22nd November 2020. I thank you Mr Speaker. response. However, my main argument is on the ruling that you made of violation of the rights of citizens. MR KEORAPETSE: Procedure. Mr Speaker, I do not know if you have noticed but you will guide me. MR SPEAKER: That is why Honourable Keorapetse, It seems the response that the Honourable Minister is you are under a misapprehension... giving violates your ruling that you made on provision of the list of names of persons, and (ii) actually makes it MR KEORAPETSE: ...(Inaudible)... worse because the Honourable Deputy Speaker is asking MR SPEAKER: Yes, a total misapprehension. I was if the Minister is aware that these companies are doing a very shoddy job. So Mr Speaker, I was saying, last time weighing the ability of Parliament to superintend you made a ruling that Honourable Mzwinila cannot in the case of the land boards or the appointments as reveal the names of people in Parliament? I believe the compared to the protection of the names of those Business Advisory Committee has not met to review people who have been called for interviews. I said, in your ruling, and your ruling stands. Now what makes it my view, Parliament will still be able to superintend worse is the startling allegation that these companies are to exercise its oversight without the names of people doing very shoddy jobs, and these companies especially who have been called for oversight be revealed. Here the individual directors. My concern really is the as I understand the Honourable Minister, the names of individual directors, and I am not seeking to speak on companies which have been awarded, are in the public behalf of them, I do not know them. My concern is on domain. Anybody who comes from Mochudi East and the ruling of the Speaker where he said names should knows these roads, it should not take him 30 minutes to not be revealed in Parliament. My understanding is, find out who has been awarded that road. That is why I Honourable Serame is saying she has a list, table of the was saying probably I did not understand what you were companies and their directors. I was therefore appealing to you Mr Speaker, to guide us as to which instances talking about... allow the revealing of names and which instances do HONOURABLE MEMBER: ...(Inaudible)... not, because now it will seem as if when the Opposition asks for them, it is wrong but not wrong when it is the MR SPEAKER: Yes, so I am at a loss. ruling party which asks for them. Mr Speaker, we need your guidance, thank you. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker.

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MR SPEAKER: No Mr, procedure under a Another thing, we are having discussions as a ministry misapprehension? If you are dealing with my ruling, I together with our different departments to determine am not going to debate my ruling here. whether Central Transport Organisation (CTO) can assist us with another grader, especially now that we are HONOURABLE MEMBER: I want to understand in a rainfall season and as we are heading towards the something within your ruling. ploughing season and other things. We are discussing MR SPEAKER: No sir. these things to determine how we can best assist each other. Thank you Mr Speaker. HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Laughter!)... LIVESTOCK MARKETS HONOURABLE MEMBER: That is dictatorship. DR N. TSHABANG (NKANGE): Asked the Minister MR SPEAKER: My ruling has got nothing to do with of Agricultural Development and Food Security if he what the Minister has said in answer to the question. is aware that farmers in Sub-District struggle to access markets for their livestock due to closure of MR PULE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) in Francistown Speaker... and the long distances to Lobatse and Maun BMCs; and HONOURABLE MEMBER: Further procedure Mr if so, to state: Speaker. (i) what he intends to do to address this dire situation; MR SPEAKER: Mr Kekgonegile, I have not given you and the floor, I have called on the Member who asked the (ii) whether he intends to cover farmers’ transport question to supplement. costs to Maun or Lobatse.

MR PULE: Mr Speaker, my question to the Minister is, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL is he aware that after it rains, roads are heavily damaged DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS especially since they were last maintained in October or MANAKE): Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you early November, so can he assure us that, during these Honourable Dr Tshabang for your question. Mr rainy season those roads will be graded because they Speaker, we are aware that Tutume Sub-District farmers are used by farmers when they go to the lands to plough? were greatly affected by the closure of Botswana Meat Again, is the Minister also aware of a certain road Commission (BMC) for reasons that we understand, and between and which connects Kgatleng we all agreed with those reasons during that time. They and , and it is used by Bokaa residents to go are not the only ones, we also have constituents of North East, Central, Boteti and Bobirwa, they were all affected to the lands? If the Minister is aware of it, why is it due to the closure of BMC at Francistown. There are not graded? Do they have any intentions of grading it many challenges which surround the beef industry, but because I believe it can assist our farmers considerably? we are dealing with them to revitalise the beef industry Thank you. so we can make farmers happy going forth. We have MS SERAME: Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you started to revitalise the beef industry where farmers can Honourable Pule. It is indeed true that sometimes after trade their cattle and make sufficient profits. these roads are maintained, they can be damaged quickly Mr Speaker, we are also in the process of restructuring more especially after the rains. Those are some of the BMC so that it can get back to its original state. Before things that we are looking into as a ministry. Moreover, the outbreak of COVID-19, we contracted a certain we have realised that most of the roads that we are talking company called IDI so that they can make a scope about are feeder roads into fields and other production for us on what is needed in order to revitalise the beef centres, including the one you mentioned Honourable. industry including BMC because it is not our only beef We are collaborating with Kgatleng District Council, we industry, but part of the industry. While still on that are looking at the resources that we have such as graders process, we were hit by COVID-19 pandemic and to determine how we can assist each other as a ministry they ended up going back home. Be that as it may, we and the council in terms of using them to further assist continue to hold virtual meetings with them, it is not Mochudi East constituents and others, going forth. the same as when they were onsite so they proceed with

Hansard No 200 9 Wednesday 25th November, 2020 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

what we had already started such that our negotiations MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Let me start may also proceed going forth. with the last one. No, we are not going to assist them with transport to deliver their cattle to Maun or Lobatse This is what we are dealing with, Government made because as I speak, Maun and Lobatse BMC are facing a difficult decision to allow live cattle to be exported challenges which we are trying to address. I will address or live export or what we normally term animal on the each one of his questions. hoof; weaners so they can be sold in other countries. I already mentioned that it was a difficult decision Our management company was IDI. As I mentioned, because we know and understand that we were it is a management consultant which we are still exporting jobs, leather and other beef products which consulting and they have already done the scope. The create jobs for our people. We believe farmers were the truth is, you do not just invite people anyhow without greatly affected group, we decided to open borders so considering what they are going to do nor your budget that they can sell and be able to survive. We know that or without considering your output. That is why I am there are feedlots at Tutume Sub-District and they are saying in the middle of the negotiations after scoping, buying from people so that they can export. Without we were challenged by the COVID-19 outbreak but promoting them, their prices are much better and they we are still proceeding with negotiations to determine beat our normal pricing. Moreover, there is an export how we can revitalise this BMC. Just as the Minister of ready abattoir at Francistown. We also made a decision Finance mentioned yesterday, proper revitalising has to to facilitate private abattoirs so that they can also have be done with BMC so that we do not have a situation the opportunity to export beef or any beef products. This where we invest a lot of funds on BMC and it does is because we believe it will create many jobs as we told not make profit. We want returns on investment and Batswana that we are leading an export-led economy. I potential jobs for our children, those who are going to thought to highlight some of these things Mr Speaker. I work there. We want farmers to make better profits, not thank you. only them but all the stakeholders in the value chain of the beef industry. That is what we are considering and DR TSHABANG: Supplementary. Thank you Mr what we are going to do with utmost attention. Speaker, thank you Honourable Minister. You mentioned that you are revitalising the beef industry, that is not The issue of where farmers can get information in clear to a farmer who is at Tutume Sub-District in terms terms of marketing their cattle; they can contact our of how you intend to revitalise it specifically for that veterinary offices as we commonly call them, or area. contact our regional office at Francistown where they You mentioned export ready private abattoirs; I doubt, will inform them about buyers and give them dates, as if you can name them so that they can appreciate and well as the requirements for buying their cattle. One of use them and are you sure they are ready? I went there those requirements for example is that, their cattle must but I do not know of any of them that is exporting. be vaccinated for Black Quarters (BQ) and should be Please, are you aware that, that information may not be tested for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB). These are some of what the farmers know on the ground? the things which our veterinaries and those who work in our offices can advise. You are talking about restructuring BMC. Yesterday I asked the Minister of Finance about your statement that You also mentioned that you do not have information during Budget Speech, you mentioned that you will have that we have an export, is that information already a management company by April 2020 that runs BMC available? I mentioned that we are facilitating, which even up to now, nothing has been done. Additionally, means we want them to be there where some have that you engaged another one which is not a management export status. Currently, our laws do not allow that, they company, which had to flee because of COVID-19. still have to do certain things to comply with markets, maybe where Botswana has compliance like at the Lastly, can you tell a farmer from Tutume Sub-District European Market. where they can market their cattle, where they will get better profit? Let me also remind you that you did not For example; the issue that in rural areas like at respond to Question 4 (ii), whether you are willing to Tutume, Bobonong, Semolale, Ncojane, Mokobeng, assist those who wish to deliver their cattle at Lobatse Lentsweletau, Lerala, Changate, , Xere and BMC or Maun with transport? Thank you Mr Speaker. others do not know what I mean by revitalisation…

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MR SPEAKER: Minister, can you please just answer (vi) whether victims are provided with social or the question. We do not have time for all these. financial support; and

MS MANAKE: What do we mean by revitalising the (vii) whether he sees the above as a problem and what beef industry; we mean to correct from the core what is he doing to stop police brutality in Mahalapye cattle farming is, what it needs as well as the market Sub-District and Mahalapye West Constituency in needs. How many cattle do we have, which technologies particular. can be established to change the current situation we have of the decline of the national herd. That is what we MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND are talking about to be able to meet the market. I thank SECURITY (MR MMUSI): Thank you Mr Speaker, you Mr Speaker thank you Honourable Tshere. (i) Mr Speaker, the Botswana Police Service has MR HIKUAMA: Thank you Honourable Speaker, recorded seven incidents in the past 10 years in thank you Minister. Although I did not quiet hear your Mahalapye Sub-District in which people (victims) response on how you are going to assist people of were shot by the police in their line of duty. These Tutume let me leave it. However on the management incidents occurred during the arrest of suspects consultant of Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), I did who were either armed or reasonably suspected not clearly hear what you are saying, that is the one I am to be armed and resisting arrest. Out of these interested in, what should Batswana expect? You are too incidents, one person was accidentally shot while general so we cannot understand what you are saying. police officers were attending an armed robbery...

MS MANAKE: But I responded that we have started, HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… we were deterred by COVID-19. We are currently MR MMUSI: Yes sir, accidental. correcting, that is why we introduced the short term interim measures I talked about. After that, it is medium (i) During this period four members of the public lost all the way to long term. So in the short term, in the next their lives as a result of the above incidents. In the ten months we will have to give you an update as to same period Mr Speaker, two police officers lost when the management consultant is going to start and their lives and 18 others were brutally assaulted by the process. I thank you Mr Speaker. suspects in such encounters.

VICTIMS SHOT BY POLICE IN MAHALAPYE (ii) Mr Speaker, no compensation has been paid to any person in the past 10 years. For one to be MR D. TSHERE (MAHALAPYE WEST): asked the compensated there has to be proof of negligence Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to state: or recklessness on the part of the police. Currently there is only one matter that is before court and is (i) how many people (victims) have been shot by scheduled for hearing on the 5th December, 2020. the police in their line of duty in the Mahalapye Sub-District Council and Mahalapye West (iii) Mr Speaker, there are Government facilities in the Constituency in particular in the past 10 years and sub-district, where those who need medical and/ reasons for such incidents; or travelling expenses associated with injuries are taken to at Government’s expense. (ii) how many of those lost their lives as a result of (i) above; (iv) The victims and their families are provided with psycho-social support. These can be psychologists (iii) from (ii) above, how many have been compensated and counsellors from the Botswana Police Service and at what cost per individual; or social workers from the sub-district who provide (iv) who takes care of the medical expenses and/or psycho-social support during these incidents. travelling expenses associated with injuries while (v) I have it on record that to the extent possible, seeking medical attention; victims are provided with social and financial (v) whether the victims and victims’ families are support. This could be in the form of a monthly provided with psycho-social support; stipend/allowance to the actual victim and

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depending on the circumstances, financial support FERTILE LAND IN NORTH EAST DISTRICT could be given to dependents, for example, in a particular case, transport to school, school fees, MR S. N. MOABI (TATI WEST): asked the Minister uniform for the dependents of the victim were paid of Agricultural Development and Food Security if he is for by Government. aware that the North East District has good, fertile land for agriculture supported by rivers and streams that can (vi) Mr Speaker, it is highly regrettable that four people be used to hold water for irrigation; if so, what is the lost their lives in these incidents, but considering Government’s plan to seize the opportunity. the fact that these suspects were armed and dangerous, the police had no option but to defend ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL themselves and other members of the public. I DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS thank you Mr Speaker. MANAKE): Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, Government is aware of fertile land for agriculture MR TSHERE: Supplementary. Thank you very much production in North East and that there are rivers and Honourable Speaker and thank you very much Minister streams across which could be used to build dams to for the answer. If I heard you well, you said, nobody help with irrigation which is needed for food production. has been compensated so far, but you are mentioning Before I talk about the existing projects, I should that there has been shootings that happened as a result mention that currently the Government has constructed of an accident. I do not understand how you have not 400 agricultural dams, on average they supply water compensated, but also acknowledge that you have shot to livestock between 2000 and 3000 livestock and its people accidentally? Please explain that. Lastly, please holding capacity on average is between 100 000 cubic explain, you said they are given monthly stipend, like meters to 3 million cubic meters. some allowance, how much is it and for how long do you carry it? Thank you. As the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, we are aware and have witnessed MR MMUSI: Compensations are done depending on the importance of these dams because they relieve the outcomes of the court cases. That is why to date we underground aquifers whose water we were informed have not compensated anyone, but as I have mentioned, is declining but there is no recharge that is sustainable. there is a court case which is ongoing and the court date Let me mention that some of these dams like the one at th is on the 5 of December 2020. I do not have the exact Jackalas No. 1 is being used by Village Development amount of how much the stipend is, I can come back Committee (VDC), for their horticulture project and to you on that one. Unfortunately I did not get to know they have started irrigation. The other one is at Jackalas how much the stipend is. I thank you Mr Speaker. No. 2 and Moroka dam which have adequate water capacity to support irrigation projects. Currently most HONOURABLE MEMBER: Further supplementary. dams are used to provide water to livestock. However HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. my ministry continues to look for another water resource from rivers for irrigation purposes and provide water to MR SPEAKER: Last supplementary Honourable livestock. We are aware of the challenges which are there Tshere. to continue to construct new ones which Honourable MR TSHERE: Supplementary. Thank you Honourable Moabi was talking about because we have old heavy Speaker and thank you very much, you reminded me of plant machinery. Even at the moment, we do not have the police victims equally and I am sorry I did not include posts for these operators, and we have a shortage of it here. I do not understand, you said there is somebody mechanics who specialise in old model plant machinery. who was shot by accident, and when somebody is shot At the moment we are reviewing the best model that by accident by the police, they still have to go through we can use to construct these agricultural dams which is the court process for the court to confirm the amount of cheaper and is also environmentally friendly. allowance. Thank you. Also where there is insufficient land among the dams MR MMUSI: Yes, if that person is the one who is we have already constructed, we want to construct asking for assistance from the court. That is why the hydroponics that do not use a lot of water, and we can be matter is before the court now, because that person is the able to produce food which will be done by communities one asking for court. Thank you Mr Speaker. through Co-operatives. Thank you Mr Speaker.

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MR MOABI: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. can take us somewhere. One of the dams we are talking I thank you for your answer Honourable Minister. about is Dikabeya. It is an agricultural dam which was You have indicated that the machine that is used to constructed by Ministry of Agriculture. Thank you Mr construct dams is old. I agree with you, it has long been Speaker. purchased in 1960; that is why when we talk about the construction of dams you indicate that the ones that MR SPEAKER: Last supplementary, Honourable were constructed at the likes of Jackals No.1, are those Motsamai. that were constructed in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Maybe MR MOTSAMAI: Supplementary. Mr Speaker, you can tell Botswana at home that since this machine is Honourable Minister is answering, but she is not clear. old as it has not been working for 20 years, when are we Honourable Minister, since Member of Parliament is expecting a new machine? asking a lot about the issue of dams which is affecting Honourable Minister, I am talking about rivers. When crops, do you not realise that what the Member of we say talk about food sufficiency as a country, we Parliament is complaining about and what I am talking mean that we have to start with small-scale business about in regards to the beef industry is failing? Do you people and small-scale farmers. At the constituency I am not realise that your ministry will fail in everything? I from, Shashe River goes through Makaleng, Matenge, am giving a little example them I am sitting down, not Gulubane and so on, and in Phase 1, we saw at Ditladi… so long ago you said cattle should be sold outside the country, you even took…the Motion says cattle should MR SPEAKER: What is your question Honourable be bought at P19.00 per kilogram and above. You failed Member? to monitor that. The cattle that are heavier are bought at P12.00 per kilogram, and those that are lighter in weight MR MOABI: I am getting there Honourable Speaker, I are bought at P19.00 per kg. Who have you hired to wanted to explain it so that she can understand it. Thank monitor that Batswana are not exploited, so that all your you. efforts can be achieved, not where everything is failing Honourable Minister, in Phase 1 we saw you connect on both sides? Thank you. electricity at Ditladi where they have grown crops MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. There is next to the river. When is Phase 2 coming at places nothing that we are failing on Honourable Motsamai. like Matenge, Gulubane, Mathangwane and Matsiloje? I have been giving you examples of the things we Since they are also next to the river, electricity should be have done in different places, and those things are connected at those places so that they can also irrigate benefiting Batswana. It is evident that wherever they are their fields and stop spending a lot on petrol. Thank you. implemented, they are going to work.

MS MANAKE: Let me thank you for mentioning The issue of P19.00 per kilogram, as Parliament, we the many developments that the Government has said it as a Motion. According to the law of Botswana, implemented, looking at the issue of electricity that we do not yet have a regulation which we can use to was connected at Ditladi and Shashe so that farmers force the beef industry to pay the price we are talking can irrigate their farms. Let me also indicate that on about. As we speak, the highest price of beef we are top of that, there is another electricity that has been talking about, is about P22.50 per kilogram. So if we connected along Motloutse River, from Mmadinare up are going to persist with our price in Parliament, do you to Bobonong. Very soon, this is going to be a cluster of not realise that Batswana will lose? fruit tree production of citrus. Also the cattle that you are talking about which you say In answering your question, let me tell you that we know are light in weight, or are weighed based on their teeth. these things and we are working on them. Where there is Zero tooth or weaners are the ones that are bought at a feasibility study of how we can improve, in relation to higher prices because as a farmer or feeder, there are our economic recovery plan, we will look into it to see things that you are going and those that are required. what we can focus on in it. You should know that when you take it as a calf, you Dikabeya Dam irrigation has housed around 16 people will be able to feed it within a particular period of time who have occupied a space of 63 hectares. We have seen and then it can bring you profit when you sell it. When that they are producing food of high quality and that it is already two to four tooth, for me to feed it in a way

Hansard No 200 13 Wednesday 25th November, 2020 STATEMENT: 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR PREVENTION OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

that will be cheaper, I have to buy it at a lesser price. nobody reacts. A habit is something that happens and I am saying we talked, we were with you Honourable we no longer get shocked. We no longer get shocked; Motsamai, we requested farmers to look out for others it seems we only get shocked when a person has died. so that no one is exploited. Today we want to make you aware that when there is extreme violence against women, a woman ends up HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… losing her life. It manifests slowly but surely in a variety MR SPEAKER: Our time is up, we overshot the of ways. We have to look into things that transpire runway. As we were asked by Honourable Moatlhodi before a life is lost, because when one loses their life, it and as you see from the Order Paper, the Chairperson would be extremely late. Therefore, our message today of the Parliamentary Caucus on Women wants to make would like to focus on Botswana as a whole. a statement. As you are aware of this important day, HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… may we all rise and observe a moment of silence in remembrance of all those who passed away because DR DOW: Yes sir, Botswana as a whole. When we of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and those who were address the parents, we say to them that do not pretend subjected to it. not to see when you can clearly see what is happening right in front of you. Do not love marriage more than …MOMENT OF SILENCE OBSERVED… those getting married. Do not love the idea of a family MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Members. more than those who can go and build that family. Do May I now ask the Chairperson of Parliamentary Caucus not try to conceal things, fearing what people would on Women, Honourable Dr Dow, to make a statement. say, because in any case those people are still going to gather on the day of the funeral or once an injury has STATEMENT occurred. In short, we are saying to end this violence requires each one of us. I know that we know, and the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR police officers also know that by the time an axe is used, PREVENTION OF GENDER BASED there would have been some words uttered, emotional VIOLENCE abuse and some assault where people would be told, “go CHAIRPERSON OF PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS back home and resolve your issues amicably.” Most of ON WOMEN (DR DOW): Thank you Mr Speaker and the time we see or hear about these scary issues after thank you Honourable Moatlhodi for starting this session extreme action and most of the time we gather. As the way you did by sensitising Batswana, sensitising us the Parliamentary Caucus on Women and Honourable that today is an important day. Motsamai who is a member of this committee; and we thank him for being a part of it, we are saying we should I stand up here to give a message for this day in this not stop until the end. Parliament from the Parliamentary Caucus on Women, which I am the Chairperson. You will realise that We should also focus on courts. If you are a court, today there are glimpses of orange here and there magistrate of a customary court, do not turn her back in Parliament. It is a colour that was chosen by the saying, “go and resolve your issues,” not having put international community to commemorate this day. anything in place to prevent the worst from happening Some commemorate it with colour and speeches. I take as they would be going back. Most of the time people it that the time will come for people to speak. Some are not able to solve issues at home and when you see commemorate it with marches, dance and prayer. All a person reporting, it means they have failed. Most of these things are a sign that it is important to take a break the time people hide their families and where they are. from our lives, introspect, and ask ourselves what role When you see them entering through the doors of your we are playing. Mr Speaker, attire, marches or relaying court to report violence, know that they have failed on messages and speeches cannot stop violence against their own and when you send them back, know that you women. It is just to inform, to reveal and to put in the might be seeing them for the last time. open so that people can be aware and be sensitised. We also dialogue with magistrates that the habit and Our message is that it has been revealed that violence culture of this abuse is growing where it is believed against women has become a habit and a culture. When things are no longer alarming. Therefore, if it is no I say culture, I am referring to something that occurs and longer alarming that a man can neglect children; these

14 Hansard No 200 Wednesday 25th November, 2020 STATEMENT: 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR PREVENTION OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

very children are the ones who become a problem look at herself as being subservient, that her job is just later; a woman faces challenges and she ends up to take care of the child and she is not working jointly compromising. If it is no longer shocking, that is when with anyone. we are promoting this culture. Cases of maintenance, since poverty is connected to maintenance, if you do not Well, our message is that let us look into these issues, pay close attention to them, it is the environment which let us use the ‘orange spectacles’ when we look at promotes the habit and culture of violence. everything. One should ask themselves that when they do that as a magistrate, the witness who is also Now focusing on the issue of bail or awaiting trial from the plaintiff in the issue of rape, physical abuse or any outside. I am a lawyer and I strongly believe there is no case of violence is a witness who has challenges; you cannot compare them to a witness coming from a bank one who should be punished before being found guilty. who says, ‘our bank was robbed yesterday.’ These are As a Magistrate, High Court or Customary Court you completely different people. You cannot compare them have the authority to ensure that this perpetrator would to someone crying saying ‘someone stole my cow’ or not find a chance to do what they are being accused of someone saying ‘my cell phone was stolen.’ These are doing. You have the authority to say ‘yes you will be out different witnesses or plaintiffs. Do your laws show that on bail but you will not leave your home from this time you treat them differently? Do you handle them with to this time; you will go to the police station every day care? Do you pay for a Counsellor to assist them? Do or you will not be in contact with the complainant and you pay for them to go to court? Are you aware that you will not be in one village’. It is possible to put up they have reported that they have been raped and they restrictions, so that they would not be able to carry out have three children, and then you slot the case for 0730 what they are accused of having committed. hours; do you have their welfare at heart? Mr Speaker, what we are saying as the Parliamentary Caucus on If you are Magistrate or High Court, seeing a woman Women is that, wear the orange glasses as you consider before you accused of committing abortion or having the country at large. killed a child, yes, they are guilty, that is what the law Last but not least; I will touch on the last point. The police says, prosecute them, but ask yourself; since a child is service, we can see what you are doing, you have been not made by one person, what is the other party guilty very helpful. You are the ones who give us the accurate of? When the Children’s Act or the law says both parties numbers, and you really take these issues personally. If should take care of this child and it clearly shows the there is no coordination between the police, teachers, other one did not take care; are they not equally guilty education and health, you will not go anywhere. Do wherever they are? I mean the father to this child. Why you have firm consultations? Do you immediately take can we not think outside the box which was long built action when a 16 or 15 years old young girl says that and say this person is in front of me, and they would she is pregnant at the hospital? There is a form that not be alone, where is the other one? I am not negating is filled. Legally, when a 15 year old is pregnant then the fact that it is your duty to take care of the child you clearly a crime has been committed. Is there a response gave birth to, but where is he? Whom did they think was mechanism that is there, that is used? taking care of their child? We talked about one issue last time when we met at the Last time there was a story in one of the papers, which Parliamentary Caucus on Women. Since we do not have shocked me so much. They felt pity for a man whom doctors all over Botswana, we only have nurses so when the mother of a child left him with. Looking at it from did you ever see a nurse testifying in court about rape? the beginning to the end it paints the woman as very This is a culture or tendency that promotes abuse. There bad indeed. One day after 18 months of taking care is someone out there who believes that a nurse is not a of the baby alone, she took the child and gave her to witness but there is no law that says that. A guard at the her father, saying she was going to do other things. It gate is a witness, the one who is at the hospital gate. became an issue, clearly showing that it is a culture He or she is the one who saw her crying, he or she is a and environment that gives rise to violence, because witness. A nurse…I do not know, sometime he or she you do not believe this woman has to jointly raise this can testify. Those who know these things will tell us that child with her father, and you even think she was wrong he or she is a witness but he or she cannot be used, they by doing that. This is the environment that makes her turn a blind eye. One would have long agreed way back

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and that will be it. It would not be wrong for it to be like We are also the ones who allocate funds, so where do that, but you are just relaxed in this House. they go? Where are these unsafe spaces for women? Are we putting money there? The nation of Botswana is relying on us in this House. They are wondering if our habits, words and actions show I would like to use English for five minutes. I do not that we want to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV). want to code switch, I am concluding. Are we combating it or promoting it? Lip service is just talk, so what are our actions saying? What is the trace MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)… of our actions? We know that Domestic Violence Act DR DOW: We know as a matter of fact, that the majority was formulated by a Private Member. As individuals of young girls who become pregnant in this country are and as ministries that deal with this issue, where do we in transition yes, Standard 7 to Form 1, Form 3 to Form notice loopholes which have to be filled? Mr Speaker, 4, Form 5s are waiting for tertiary. Why; those are in right now we know that there is a firm law which shows an unsafe space because they are unsupervised. They how maintenance should be paid. For example; I am are unsafe because there are no teachers there, they going back to the maintenance issue because I believe have nothing to do, and they loiter. Can we not make that many women get themselves in trouble because of sure that we put money in the Ministry of Education to many children who they are abandoned with. make sure that they are able to run holiday schools, or If you are a Member of Parliament (MP), you are aware holiday activities? They have to make sure that kids are of this. Today I would be surprised if none of you absolutely safe and supervised during that time. receives a text from some woman in their constituency, So with those words Mr Speaker, Parliamentary Caucus saying, “My child does not have shoes,” or “Member of on Women are saying that this custom, tradition, Parliament (MP) can I please have P100.” It is rare to whatever, does not have to grow. It is within our power receive this message from a father, there are few cases. to change things and has to be more than just words. It Today from 2 o’clock to 6 o’clock at least four people has to be the way we live, what we say of course, what in this House would have received a text message that we do and how we run this House. May I with your says, “Member of Parliament, did you not manage to permission Mr Speaker, ask that each one of us stand assist me with P100? My children do not have food.” again as a sign that we are making a pledge at a personal When she says that, what does it mean? It means that level within the institute that we are, within the families Honourable Boko should assist John, James or Modise that we are in, to work towards eradication of GBV and wherever he is. Coming to you to ask for assistance and do always in our power to stop or limit the spread of if you do not assist a mother who has three children, GBV. Thank you Mr Speaker. what is she going to do? Even if she is in an abusive relationship, she will not walk away because she fears HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Applause!)… that her children will not have anything to eat and she MR SPEAKER: Thank you Chair. Honourable will have a place to sleep. So, poverty is a very, very Members, your solidarity. significant factor in this whole Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issue. What are we saying? Firstly, men should ADMINISTRATION OF PLEDGE take part in raising their children or from women who Members of Parliament took a pledge. are not managing to raise them. There is no doubt about DR DOW: Thank you Mr Speaker. that. What can the State do to economically empower these women so that they can survive? MR SPEAKER: Thank you Dr Dow. Honourable Members, as you know, after such a statement, it is The Act that I am talking about, even if you can take the permissible to ask short questions for clarification of the court order, it is useless, completely useless! Why is it statement. For clarification, not to add your own opinion useless; because a court order for P5000 or P2000, who of the statement. is going to prosecute him and charging him how much? When he does not pay, what is going to happen? There MR BOKO: Thank you Mr Speaker. Good afternoon. is no system to enforce. One of the most useless court Let me first thank Honourable Dow for the well-crafted orders is a maintenance order in this country. Can we debate that she just presented before this House. She make sure as Members of Parliament that it is not so? talked like a woman and a parent. Minister, there is a

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concern that you talked about towards the end of your (WAR), Stepping Stones International (SSI), the Shelter debate, that women find themselves in these situations Project and so on, who are supporting these women because they do not have resources or money. Maybe daily. So, maybe they should be able to support with you should assist us on how we can combat this more than just advice, but maybe even with subsistence, situation. You stated facts. Ever since I grew up, I have and shelters of course. Government is already committed never heard any man asking me to give him P200 so to funding Shelters, to fund that, they must escalate it. that he can go and buy shoes for his child. These pleas Thank you Honourable Boko. always come from women. Maybe this will inspire men that they have a role to play in their children’s lives. MR KEKGONEGILE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable Dr Dow, there are people in our country Just a brief question, what should we do to empower who believe we are just too Eurocentric; our lifestyle women because most of the time, everyday …to be and mindset is Eurocentric and even our laws no longer honest, I sometimes receive a message that says, tally with our culture but are more Eurocentric. They “Honourable Boko, I cannot walk away from home are saying this because of bail. A person would have because I depend entirely on this man.” These women committed murder with all the evidence stacked high end up being abused because they have nowhere to go against him, even with an admission of guilt, why grant because they depend entirely on the man. Maybe you him bail? That is what Batswana are wondering. Why can assist us on how we can best deal with the situation not prosecute him once instead of being granted bail as a deliberate decision by Government on the way then going on to commit another murder? This thing forward not games. Thank you. of rights; a person has rights before being judged, why not judge him once and his rights end where they are DR DOW: Thank you Honourable Boko. My speech supposed to? Thank you. was written in English but there is a line which specifically applauded you for bringing this issue in the DR DOW: Thank you Honourable. I totally disagree last Parliament by the way, so I forgot to…(Inaudible), that a person must be judged before being prosecuted. it is in the written speech. You might think you know what happened given what you read on the papers but the law allows other kinds It is a very difficult issue but let me say, here isa of defences. For example, it is not even Eurocentric, do possible way of starting even a pot. A long time ago you know that right now, I do not know if you know... when maintenance was P40, before I brought more than MR KEKGONEGILE: Sorry, before you proceed, 250 cases to make sure that the law is changed, most Mr Speaker, maybe Honourable did not understand. I of the women were not accessing that money because am not saying he should be judged before prosecution, it was costing them too much money to go and collect but that the case should proceed forthwith, judgement it. So as we speak now, we have the Guardian Fund for released and the case closed instead of deferring it to children. I believe it has some funds of people who are two years and then the accused is granted bail of those now grown-ups aged 60, 80, 70, because parents could two years. That is what I am saying. not go and collect that money. That Fund should be audited and to see whether or not at least a pot cannot be DR DOW: I agree with you on that one that trials started to actually support. That is, it should be part of should be escalated; there should be speed-up. Maybe if the Domestic Violence Act thing, to determine whether we could also have courts which deal specifically with or not, “you are saying you are leaving your home, what these cases, there will be a speed-up. I totally agree with are you going to eat while here?” to be able to use that you on that one. When the trial starts, people would pot at least as a subsistence for some time. have forgotten, Magistrates transferred and the police no longer… so I totally agree with you that they should The other thing is, but that one Honourable Dr Matsheka be sped-up. Thank you. would have to look at. Fund orders have regulations on how funds are going to be spent. It is a way of looking; MR SALESHANDO: Thank you Mr Speaker. I agree that is, I am thinking there are pots somewhere that can with all the points as raised by Honourable Dr Unity be used. Dow. I only have one question for her, as a committee or Honourable Members, a Motswana has given us The other thing is, we must assist organisations which permission in Parliament to make laws, amend and do this job on a daily basis such as Women Against Rape suspend them. Considering the abuse that women and

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children have been dealt, have you not set yourself understand the procedures of this House. We do not standard of which laws you want Parliament to amend have Women’s Committee in Parliament, I hear you in the next 12 months? That is the first question. saying, ‘that must be underlined,’ you keep reiterating that. I was part of those who elected members of this Secondly, do you not have anything that you want committee. A question was raised if this committee Government to do as a matter of urgency out of your should comprise of women only. There is nothing in great concern though it might not be a solution? our rules which says it must be women only. Therefore Botswana is shown to be at number 2 when it comes withdraw your statement and stop messing the debate to these matters. Could we not do anything to sensitise today. This committee is not made up of women only Batswana on the gravity of this matter? and you know that. DR DOW: Thank you very much. On your first MR TSOGWANE: Mr Speaker, I am talking about question, we are going to present a report here. We held Parliamentary Women’s Caucus, unless I do not a meeting recently and discussed some of the things you understand that phrase. You can change it and include mentioned like which laws should be amended. We also men but for all intents and purposes, it is a Parliamentary met with different ministries such as the Ministry of Committee of Women’s Caucus, that is how it is. She Defence, Justice and Security, Ministry of Health and also said she is the Chairperson of Women’s Caucus. Wellness, Ministry of Education and so on and they Should we go back to that? also disclosed that they are making certain decisions. So the report is coming, it is in draft form. Thank you for MR SALESHANDO: On a point of order Mr Speaker. mentioning that. I ask that you make a ruling so that we do not take long. His Honour insists that this is Women’s Committee. You Secondly, on what can be done; I believe that the Inter- and I discussed this matter at Selection Committee and Ministerial Committee that we agreed should be formed agreed that it is not Women’s Committee that is why last time which was brought about by a Motion from even men are encouraged to join in. Now it should Honourable Boko, must be put together quickly because you will realise that…I compare it to the COVID-19 be clear that, if it is a Women’s Committee and even Team, you will realise that it is multi-sectoral and Standing Orders supports that, we should then remove multi-disciplinary and not just Government, we will men appointed to it. see because the leader must be accountable. So mostly MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, when you have a single task, you will accomplish it but you will recall that when we started this committee, when you have several, you will accomplish some of we deliberately put a man in the committee so its them. I believe the first step has to be the setting up of the promised Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender composition includes a man. Based Violence (GBV). Thank you Sir. MR TSOGWANE: Mr Speaker, as long as that HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT (MR committee is still addressed with that name, we can TSOGWANE): Thank you. Somebody is querying to appoint both men and women, I do not have that say am I asking, that is the abuse that we are talking problem but for all intended purpose, let us change it about. as well as change its name or make it a Parliamentary Committee on Gender. I would have a problem if we Thank you Mr Speaker. I totally agree and associate can leave it like this. Yes, we may appoint a man in that myself with the matter you have just presented before committee … Parliament from Women’s Caucus, I must underline that; women. My question is… HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)…

HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Interruptions!)… MR TSOGWANE: …I do not have a problem anyway, let me not condemn it. I know why those who condemn LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (MR it are doing so … SALESHANDO): On a point of order Mr Speaker. HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Laughter!)… MR SPEAKER: ...(Inaudible)... really? MR TSOGWANE: …because if it was not … MR SALESHANDO: No, some might be misled to believe that being Leader of the House means you HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)…

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MR TSOGWANE: …biased against the gender issue you mentioned that nurses must be regarded as witnesses on the other side, we would not have a problem but that as far as these issues are concerned, I want to understand is not an issue for today, it is for another day. Let me if you do not think a time has come for us to change how move on to appreciate the Chairperson of Parliamentary we prosecute these issues? According to you, do you not Caucus on Women for their debate. Since you have been think a time has come to prosecute these issues different a Judge, let me ask … from other cases where a police officer, a prosecutor and a judge attends these cases? Since men abuse women HONOURABLE MEMBER: Point of order Mr and children because their minds were affected, they Speaker. have to be counseled in a certain way before prosecuting MR TSOGWANE: Is it wrong to ask? and sentencing them. I think we should legally engage social workers when prosecuting these issues so they HONOURABLE MEMBER: Point of order Mr can offer counseling as well as determine the condition Speaker. that the prosecutor or the offender is in. Do you not think it is necessary to have that element? Thank you. MR TSOGWANE: Am I wrong to ask Mr Speaker? DR DOW: Thank you Mr Speaker. The truth is when we MR MOTSAMAI: Point of order. Mr Speaker, I am were revising Mid-Term Review (MTR) last time, the surprised because yesterday I was asked to withdraw Ministry of Health and Ministry of Local Government my statement and told to never utter them again. There put many sections, to take action against those issues. is a saying, “e anyang e leletse e ruta e e maleng.” Sometimes we delay to implement our plans but it is Meaning a true leader always leads by example, by clear that they realise these cases have to be addressed demonstrating to others how the work is done. I have a in different ways, we must engage experts and other big problem with His Honour the Vice President, he is stakeholders. When we met again last time, you could intending to mislead Parliament but help us Mr Speaker, tell that sometimes things take place without realizing it, we do not want him to mislead us. This Committee is there is progress there and there, it is only that we need not for women like the Vice President says, I am also a more money, more resources and to make sure that we member. If he says it is for women, as they sometimes speed up these things. For example Mr Speaker; since make some decisions as if I am not included, let them you also deal with law, you can have two Judges. If a clarify it so I can leave this committee. Had I known it woman has thrown their child in the toilet, maybe I have is for women, not for issues which affect women and given this example before, one Judge would say, “this children, I would not have joined it. woman is evil and deserves life imprisonment,” another MR SPEAKER: Honourable Motsamai, I heard you. one will say, “no, there must be something which Order! Order! The name is Parliamentary Caucus on compelled her to do so. There is no woman who can Women, on and not of. throw their child in the toilet, we have to examine her so we can determine the cause and assist her.” That is HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… why I am saying if we have orange lenses, then you will MR SPEAKER: On women. see that these cases are not similar to when people are fighting at the bar where one of them ends up stabbing MR TSOGWANE: I have addressed that one, you are another with a knife. The truth is you are correct Vice taking us back. That is his nature, he is fond of taking President (VP), that it is necessary to address these people back to issues which they have dealt with. I cases differently and that can only be possible if we know that he is simply wasting time as he has debated, have those organizations and people who trained to do so some of us seek to respond to the speech by the that job. Thank you. President instead of wasting time. DR GOBOTSWANG: Elucidation. Thank you Mr Let me go back to my question Mr Speaker, that since Speaker, thank you Honourable Dow. You mentioned you used to be a judge Honourable Dow, issues of that we need resources in order to deal with these cases, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), more especially issues but there are those who believe for this to be possible, where men abuse women to a point where they end up we have to be clear when explaining GBV; is it a killing, raping or doing unacceptable things to them, national crisis, a disaster or an emergency because we according to your opinion and experience that you had, have already indicated that it is a national crisis.

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HONOURABLE MEMBER: Me too. MR SPEAKER: You said procedure.

DR GOBOTSWANG: Last time when we were DR TSHABANG: Yes, procedure, are members of the at Selebi Phikwe, I heard the First Lady labeling it a Caucus on women allowed to ask questions on their national crisis. If we could be clear as opposed to what statement? Just procedure on that one. we see it as, if you say there is an outbreak of Foot and Mouth; it is a disaster or drought; it is a disaster so we MR SPEAKER: Indeed, since this is their statement, provide resources and a budget, what are you saying you get that Honourable Manake …(Laughter!)… concerning the idea of saying what we see it as, is it a Honourable Hikuama. national crisis? I thank you. HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Interruptions!)…

DR DOW: Indeed, you are on point Honourable. If you MR HIKUAMA: Thank you Honourable Speaker. say that if you do not name it, you cannot label it and Let me thank Honourable Dow on the statement she if you cannot name it, you will not see it. The truth is presented to us… whether you call it a crisis, a disaster or an emergency, I agree with you on the basis that we have to call it HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Interruptions!)… something so we can fund it accordingly. It is not enough to talk about it and I go back to the Inter-Ministerial HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. Committee on GBV, if we can appoint it, we would have MR SPEAKER: Immediately after this, I am stopping to budget for it to identify issues across the country and everything …(Inaudible)…this thing ends here. So if they would have to determine whether they are at homes you want to procedure him you are not going to be able or elsewhere. So I agree with you on the basis that we to ask any more questions. must name it and then budget for it. Thank you sir. HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC MR SPEAKER: This issue is going to be concluded ADMINISTRATION (MR MORWAENG): Let me after your question, I am not going to give you any more thank you Mr Speaker and Honourable Dow on her time. presentation. Let me assure that the committee which is being mentioned of Inter- Ministerial Committee, this MR HIKUAMA: Yes sir. I agreed with most of the coming week, if we can force that one we will announce issues in your statement more especially poverty. I our schedule because everything is at an advanced realised that poverty is the root cause of abuse in women stage. So this coming week or that other one, we will and girls. My short question is, as the Parliamentary make an announcement regarding it. Let me also make caucus on Women what have you apprehended that the an assurance regarding this issue… nation can do to address this issue of poverty in women? Because no matter what we can say or do if poverty still MR SPEAKER: Honourable Minister, this is a time for prevails among women and girls, we can never win questions. against gender based violence. In order to win against it, MR MORWAENG: Thank you. we have to address poverty. How do you think you can address us as a nation? ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS DR DOW: Thank you very much. Your question is MANAKE): Thank you Mr Speaker. Let me thank the very difficult because we all agree that poverty plays a Chairperson of our Parliamentary Caucus on Women huge role in gender based violence. If a disadvantaged which comprises of women and one man in Parliament, person’s child is impregnated and the perpetrator bribed Honourable Dow, can you perhaps explain to us if in them with P20 000, that person is going to take it. Not your view the teachings… that she agrees with the occurrence, she wonders how she is going to feed the child if she declines it. However, HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. the one with means will go ahead and open the case. So you are right, poverty is one of the things which MR SPEAKER: Honourable for Nkange, Dr Tshabang. disadvantages women Mr Speaker. The question you DR TSHABANG: Just a clarification… are asking that if we talk about poverty in women only,

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how can they be alleviated from poverty, I thought… President and Vice President drank tea with just before it is almost another speech but the majority of us the 2019 elections. Today they are given the boot and Batswana are not poor like it seems. Majority of them told not to sell at the bus rank whereas that is where are poor but not like it is portrayed to be. A woman with they make a living to take care of their children. So Mr a small vegetable garden in a village of a population Speaker we would be out of order if as leaders of the of 500, that garden is wealth untapped. She is not poor nation, we are here encouraging Gender-Based Violence as it seems, if she could get assistance to augment the (GBV) which the Chairperson of Parliamentary little she has, if she has that yard of 40 by 40 or ten Caucus on Women highlighted as one of the causes is cattle to uplift her. The problem like I say, my apologies poverty. Honourable Minister Molale’s ministry is the Mr Speaker, it is almost another speech because we one chasing people who were selling at the bus rank need to decentralise services to build a bridge between therefore they end up becoming victims of gender based the existing programmes and the people. I am going violence due to poverty. So Mr Speaker, maybe we to give a simple example, right now the Master of the should take this time to request Honourable Minister High Court who is also the Master of the Estates is at Molale to give an order that Batswana should be left to Gaborone and Francistown so it is going to be difficult operate at the bus rank like they have been doing for a for a woman who has a small vegetable garden or house long time. That is the informal sector which we should to get her inheritance because laws are complex, they are support because the Government cannot create jobs for in Setswana and English. We need to be able to build a everyone. If we do not do that Mr Speaker, we will be bridge between services and the people who are entitled irresponsible leaders and maybe in 2024 all of us should to them as a start. My apologies Mr Speaker this issue not be elected because that means we do not have the is long, we will discuss it some other time. Thank you. interests of the people at heart.

MR SPEAKER: As you can see Honourable Members MR SPEAKER: I hear you Honourable Mmolotsi. we have ran out of time. We have absolutely no time Maybe it is not a subject that we can discuss now, but and our questions end here. We have been cornered by it is quite understandable. I take it that the Honourable COVID-19 and so we will adjourn. When we come back Minister has heard you, he will take action. Let us go Honourable Dr Dikoloti you will be taking the floor back to the response to the President’s Speech. Minister. Let us adjourn Honourable Members. MR MOTSAMAI: On a point of procedure Mr Speaker. PROCEEDINGS SUSPENDED AT 4:04 P.M. FOR Thank you Mr Speaker. The issue that is addressed by APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES Honourable Mmolotsi is a concern for me. As you are our senior … PROCEEEDINGS RESUMED AT 4:39 P.M. MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND “EXCHANGE OF SPEAKERSHIP” RURAL DEVELOPMENT (MR MOLALE): Point MR SPEAKER (MR PULE): Pray be seated. Order! of order Mr Speaker. Point of order takes precedence Order! Honourable Members, when the House adjourned over procedure. Mr Speaker, this House is getting out yesterday, Honourable Dr Dikoloti was on the floor and of control. Our colleagues across the aisle have finished he was left with 32 minutes 24 seconds. debating so they are bringing up unnecessary issues so that those who did not debate cannot debate. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure. It is procedure that when there is something a Member HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. of Parliament is complaining about, regarding any ministry, he comes to me in private and we discuss it. MR MMOLOTSI: Point of procedure. Thank you Then I tell him what the solution is, instead of bringing very much Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, as Members of that complaint here as a debate point. Thank you Mr Parliament of this House, we are concerned about any Speaker. situations rising in any part of the country. Right now, as we are in Parliament, there is a serious commotion at MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members. the bus rank because women who own stalls there, the I think I have made a ruling and I do not want anyone same women we were talking about that they are trying to revisit it. I think we are used to discussing the ruling to make a living, I am talking about the women who the of the Speaker to the confusion of the House. I said I

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heard the message by Honourable Mmolotsi. I take not operational and it is not completed. The people of it that Honourable Minister has heard him, they will Mmathethe are saying if they can see that service centre discuss it. If it becomes necessary for it to be brought to completed and operational, they can be very happy Parliament, it will come. Can we go back to the subject because this constituency really, when we talk about matter on the table, response to the President’s Speech. agri-preneurship, it is prepared and it is always at the forefront. Not opening this service centre prevents us RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S from getting resources in time so that we can be able SPEECH to produce agricultural products as quickly as possible. Motion I take it that just not so long ago, our constituency was (Resumed Debate) being talked about a lot, especially about the hydroponics programme, which our Village Development Committees MR SPEAKER: Order! Order, Honourable Members! (VDCs) all over the constituency have. I encourage The debate on this Motion is resuming. When the House Members of Parliament to come to the constituency and adjourned yesterday, Honourable Dr Dikoloti was on the buy vegetables, so that they can see hydroponics that floor and he was left with 32 minutes and 24 seconds. are there, and appreciate what we mean when we say we grow crops with no soil and only water. MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS (DR DIKOLOTI): Let me thank you Mr Speaker. Yesterday Mr Speaker, I want to request Citizen Entrepreneurial when Parliament adjourned, I was giving an update on Development Agency (CEDA) and Local Enterprises what was happening at Mmathethe-Molapowabojang Authority (LEA) to come to the constituency because Constituency in December. When I continue Mr where we could be getting services to be able to Speaker, among the things that we also did, we had an improve what we already have there, we cannot African board game competition which all the areas achieve that because we do not have these offices. At of the Mmathethe-Molapowabojang Constituency Lobatse and Good Hope there are no offices. I want to took part in. I can tell you that the number of people request Honourable Serame that they should assist us that came to this competition was more than 2 200 in and provide us with these mobile services so that our youth in the constituency can be able to access these total. Mr Speaker, all this was possible under the strong services and can be like other young people in different leadership of Mr Chilane and his team. I want to thank constituencies. them very much for making that a success. Mr Speaker, the people of Mmathethe-Molapowabojang MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, TRADE AND Constituency were singing hymn 295 of the UCCSA INDUSTRY (MS SERAME): On a point of elucidation church, which says, “We are walking in a thorny path Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you with painful legs, but the hope is that we are going Honourable Dikoloti. Let me explain it in short and say home, we are going home tomorrow.” There is so much it can happen that like you are requesting Honourable hope in this Government. Mr Speaker, Mmathethe has Member, we can take services to different places even if had a water shortage problem for years now, and I do we do not have offices there. Let me also assure you that not mean where there is no water temporarily, but there as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, we is no water at all. Mr Speaker, the hope is there because often take all the departments there; not LEA and CEDA there is a drop. Water Utilities Corporation is assisting to bring us water. Kgosi Mathiba and the people of only. We often do outreach programmes and activations; Mmathethe are very happy because at the moment, we we called some of them “Metlhala ya Khumo”, where have been connected to Ramonnedi boreholes. That is we have all departments to inform the public about their something the people are thankful for. We believe that a services, bringing you all those things during those pipeline from Masama will achieve what we have been specified days. promised that the thirst in Digawana, Molapowabojang There are days when LEA and CEDA set up mobile and Mogojogojo will come to an end. We will be like offices. Then we also have things like market days. I can other people and know that a tap is something that has water coming from. assure you Honourable Member that we will get to your constituency because we already had a plan to go all Mr Speaker, even though this is the case, Councillor Mrs over the country doing these things I mentioned. So due Ntebang at Mmathethe is complaining, she is concerned to COVID-19 we have put everything on hold. We will about a service centre that has long been built but is continue after we have passed this stage. Thank you.

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DR DIKOLOTI: Thank you Honourable Minister. I and then connect Lorwana and Molapowabojang, think that is how we are going to reach our goals as you Councillor Nakedi and Councillor Ramotshogwane reach our constituency. Mr Speaker, we are in a thorny would know that you have helped Molapowabojang path with painful legs. The relationship between the to acquire roads which we long suffered to have for so people of Digawana or people of Kgosi Kgwakgwe, many years. This road would also connect to the one for Kgosi Letlhare at Lejwana and the farmers of farms Honourable Phiri in Kgomokasitwa. I know it is a road that surround us, is not a good one. We are concerned which Honourable Letsholo laments about sometimes, about these farmers because they are troubling us, they starting from Gathwane/Goodhope. Mr Speaker we take our cattle or livestock. If young people can maybe have hope because we believe we shall arrive home. try to go and take back those cattle, they are tortured. Since today we are starting the 16 days of Gender Based Mr Speaker, in Tlaakgama, Gatuma, Machana and Violence (GBV), I saw it befitting to condemn what Tauekaname wards, we have serious shortage of water. these farm owners are doing. I believe that Honourable During lockdown, it was a bit better because we could Minister Mmusi and Honourable Minister Morwaeng have access to just a little bit. Right now it is completely are listening, and they will come to assist us so that we dry. I would like to request the Honourable Minister can live in peace and be at peace with our environment. responsible for water that it should not just end then; they should keep remembering us. Just a little bit so that What is also painful is that I know that it is there in we should do the needful during these difficult times 1 Peter: 2:17 which says Chiefs should be respected. that we are in. Something that we are witnessing from these farm owners is that they do not respect our Bogosi. I would As the residents of Dintšana, we would like to appreciate like to seriously condemn that behaviour Mr Speaker. I something. We are thankful for the borehole, Councillor believe we are going home and tomorrow we are going Ramaphoi and the residents there have arrived home. to make it because there is hope. They long walked through thorny paths, we are happy. Nonetheless, Mr Speaker, we are very concerned about Expansion of plots in Digawana, Lorwana, to have stock theft. They are on a theft spree in Mahurane, amenities such as electricity, although the contractors Tsageng and Mosadimogolo, it is a problem. who are given tenders are slow; they dig holes and just put the poles there, we continue being hopeful but HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. nothing happens. Well, we are a bit comforted because we see that someday something will happen. Mr DR DIKOLOTI: We are no longer able to hold on Speaker, it should not just be electricity, there should to our livestock. These cattle raiders are even very also be water connection because when all amenities forceful. Even when they steal from us, they walk are available, there is life and we are able to rejoice. proudly in the streets because they know that in no time I believe Councillor Motlhabankwe can also be very they would be out of jail. The next day when you cannot happy when he sees these projects completed. find your cattle, the footsteps lead right back to them. As Parliament, as the legislators, we need to change the law Mr Speaker, we are still singing the same song, so that these people are not given bail. Kgosi Letshabo Councillor Mooketsane together with the Honourable would be very happy, because the people now want to Member of Parliament for Mmathethe-Molapowabojang do mob justice because it seems these criminals are now Honourable Dikoloti and the residents of Gathwane/ being praised for committing these crimes. I believe Mogojogojwe are lamenting. We are lamenting about the these things will be corrected because if you look at road which connects Gathwane, Kgoro and Goodhope. ponds like Ngwanammetlane and Dihudi, these men We are always given promises regarding this road and build kraals. When the cattle come to drink, they put we always have high hopes, believing something will them in these kraals and take them away Mr Speaker. happen, but progress is slow. I would like to request the I believe Honourable Minister Mmusi will amend the Honourable Minister responsible for roads to work on law; he should come to Parliament with a Bill so that this road because it would be connecting and making appropriate steps would be taken against these people as it easier for us such that when we go for services at soon as possible. Goodhope, we would not go to Pitsane first. One would just use the straight road. It does not just end there Mr Speaker the outcry for roads is on a rife. We are because when you connect Gathwane and Goodhope waiting hopefully. Our hope is that if the Bray road

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could be tarred, it will not only benefit the farmers who has rained, it becomes difficult for us to access these are located along that road. I believe we will also benefit buses. In addition, where Molapowabojang is situated, something from it because it passes near Lorolwane. since Lobatse is growing towards Molapowabojang, Kgosi Matlhoakgosi, Member of Parliament Tsiripane, it becomes difficult for us to be able to boost the will have access to a tarred road going through local economy of Molapowabojang when there are no Lorolwane, and we shall also have access to proper roads. I believe Honourable Segokgo will address all amenities there. The other road from Selokolela to these issues so that he sees to it that Molapowabojang Gasita; because the people of Gasita get services from has internal roads. We also have a road that connects Kanye, it is not easy to use that road despite its short Tshweneyagae and then passes at Pelotshetlha and then distance. I believe Honourable Minister Segokgo or goes to Councillor Naolakgosi, at Segwagwa. For us Honourable Peggy as she is acting today is something to be able to connect all these areas, when you draw that they shall take with them and see how they can the Mmathethe-Molapowabojang map, it should have assist us. roads. It is an area that produces a lot of farm produce.

Mr Speaker, we are walking through a thorny path, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, but we are hopeful that tomorrow we are going home. TRADE AND INDUSTRY (MR MOLEBATSI): The villages of Metlobo, Kanngwe and Tsoaneng, Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. Let me remind produce a lot of farm produce. These produce rots in you Honourable Minister that when you want internal their storehouses because it not easy for them to be roads…even us in Mmadinare want them so bad. Maybe taken to the market due to the terrible state of the road. we should work jointly on this issue and seek them. Since Honourable Kwape is a farmer at Kanngwe, he You should seek them from Honourable Molale, not always talks about how bad this road is. I believe Kgosi Honourable Segokgo. Let us work jointly on this matter Keipeile’s smile would be real, because this road missed sir, I thank you. Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) by a whisker. It was included, but it was not constructed, but we are DR DIKOLOTI: I thank you for that Honourable hopeful that this road would be built so that the people Member, but the other issue is that when you connect of Metlobo, Kanngwe and Tsoaneng, would be able to the… produce food to feed Botswana. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification.

Mr Speaker, if you are in Maokane, there are DR DIKOLOTI: …road to Tshweneyagae, Dipotsana, lamentations because we are walking the thorny path. Pelotshetlha and then go to Segwagwa, it is a long road Kgosi Banyaditswe, the village cabinet, Councillor that needs Honourable Segokgo to see what he could Kgetsi, have asked me to come and lament before do to assist. I understand you regarding the internal this House. They said I should refuse to be comforted ones; we shall see how we are going to tug Morolong Mr Speaker because the Jwaneng-Maokane road is Honourable Molale so that he sees how he can assist us. extremely damaged. It is adversely affecting everything in this area, be it education, health, employment and Mr Speaker, it is appropriate and right to value the just day-to-day living. It is very painful Mr Speaker, economy of villages like Molapowabojang. There is because the mortuary that we use as people of Maokane shortage of residential plots. When you go to settlements is in Jwaneng. When one picks a deceased person from like Motlhatseng and Phate, you will find that there are Jwaneng going to Maokane, they take the awkward residential plots but the land is not serviced. We wish route to the farms, or they use other alternative roads that those people can access services so that at the end so that the next day the corpse would be viewed. This is of the day, we can have decent accomodation. affecting our dignity because the wish is that we would like to bury our dead with the dignity they deserve. Mr Speaker, when I move to issues of COVID, there are Setswana idioms which say, “e re o bona bodiba jo Mr Speaker, Molapowabojang is a very big village in bo jeleng ngwana wa ga mmago, o bo dikologe,” and my constituency. It has a large population, but there “Ga o a tshwanela go ongwa ka legare o bo o beolwa are no roads there. The only road that we see is the one ka lone.” which means that one should not do the same that passes there. When you are there, we say it is a mistakes that someone has done before. One could just road that passes at the tared road. We even see buses wish that 2020 can pass because it has brought nothing belonging to Ramotadima passing far there. When it but pain. It is a year of trials and tribulations. It shows

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us that as a people, we are one in the world. No man provide health care as usual. Overdosing medication is an island and no one can achieve much without the and ending up being resistant to the medication that can assistance of others. There is a Setswana idiom which help you. says “Moroto wa esi e le ruri ga o ele” which means that team work produces better results as compared I would also like to thank Ministry of Agricultural to when one is alone. We have not only realised that Development and Food Security for working with we are a team in the world, we have also realised that Department of Wildlife to assist us during a time when international relations are vital when it comes to dealing there was Foot and Mouth outbreak at our constituency. with challenges that threaten to wipe out mankind. I At the end of it all, farmers at my constituency were want to appreciate everyone who was at the frontline in compensated. They were a part of us and we managed the fight against this pandemic, more especially health to tackle this challenge because we addressed it together practitioners. We are here as Parliament, as Batswana with the Farmer’s Committee. I want to encourage because they sacrificed themselves. I believe that we Members of Parliament to go and form Farmer’s should also applaud ourselves as Members of Parliament Committees at their respective Constituencies so that for we managed. Even though there were some who we can be assisted at the end of the day. opposed, at the end of the day we came together to pass Mr Speaker, I want to quickly pass through paragraph laws which governed up to where we are today. 162 in which the President talked about Botswana Mr Speaker, I want to quickly touch on the Gender-based Public Health Institute (BPHI). Good public health in Violence (GBV) issue. I believe that this issue affects the community does not fall from above. It is a result us all. You should thank the government that this year, of all our efforts. It shows that when you work together, during a period of prayers against HIV/AIDS, she found when you cooperate, at the end of the day you can have it relevant to include Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and good public health. I want to drive my debate towards the fight against the spread of COVID. That shows that the point that the interaction between human life and this leadership has Batswana. There is Botswana and animal life and for the environment to support this, it is something that all the countries are focusing on. It Batswana in our leadership. They know the challenges is what they call one health. It is something that we do of Batswana as well as all the situations that they can not want to remain behind on as Botswana. We know find themselves in. I believe that as men, we haveto that when each and every individual in the community stand against GBV, more especially here in Parliament. takes part, working together as a team, at the end of the Most of us are men here, so let us take responsibility and day it will help us to have an uptake of public health see that women and children are not abused. Protecting preventative measures. That is how some countries are women should start here in Parliament; when you are on managing. that side and a woman is on this side, you should respect We are working on this together with changing our focus her. We know that in our Setswana culture, when a as Ministry of Health and Wellness. We focus more on woman is here you should respect her as there is a verse primary health care in which we have about 18 District in the bible which says, “honour your father and your Health Management Teams (DHMTs). Out of these mother so that your days may be prolonged.” When you DHMTs, the coordinators have taken full responsibility see a woman, you should see your mother in her. If we of all the health related concerns. I believe that Members can adopt that, we will be able to combat this GBV. of Parliament here within their regional DHMTs are a part of the WhatsApp groups which we agreed to use Mr Speaker, I want to thank Minister Gare because last to strengthen communication. We want questions and week he launched the commemoration of Antibiotic issue to be solved there. People should access services awareness in which he talked about the anti-microbial at the right time. We are going to strengthen this to resistance. Anti-microbial resistance corresponds with ensure that some of us here take part in health issues. how we have been using medication. If we are not careful Mr Speaker, we will talk about that. We believe that it and listen to the directives of the health practitioners and is also in line with the International Health Regulations veterinarians, one day it will get us in trouble. It is going of 2005. When we work together, it will come in handy to be painful. I know that we believe that heat destroys for us because Members on the other side of the aisle medications, we have to strongly disapprove that. One often say that we like saying that COVID has opened day it is going to be expensive for the government to our eyes. Regarding the issue that we are talking about,

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I wonder if they ever see countries changing their Honourable Minister, I believe what you are saying approach to health. They change it because they have is very important and I wish to support you on your seen how they have been affected during the COVID submission that I think it is high time as Botswana to times. As a ministry, we admit that COVID has opened pledge to assist these artists. We see in other countries our eyes and we want to change our approach when it especially developed countries where these artists have comes to health issues. built their brands and they endorse different products and so on. We go to South Africa and have people who Mr Speaker, we have long talked about an inclusive do not even know Setswana endorsing our own products economy, youth involvement and job creation. I believe such as Botswana Power Corporation (BPC). I think like that we are still in line. That is why we have promised you are saying Minister, I support you that we should people issues of inclusivity and youth involvement. I take responsibility as different ministries. It is not your believe that as Parliament, we have to support the youth. singular responsibility or that of the Ministry of Youth We should not try to create a future for them. We should Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development that is ensure that we provide a conducive environment for dealing with this industry. That is commendable. Thank them to thrive. Mr Speaker, if you allow me to quote you for those words Minister. from the response that I made last year… DR DIKOLOTI: Thank you Honourable. Over and MR SPEAKER: Please do. above that, Honourable Billy spoke about the film value DR DIKOLOTI: …I said, “Our role as elected chain and I do not want to distort his words. I want to legislators is not to create a future on behalf of the youth say, as a country, we are at a point right now where we but simply to make laws that will enable their ideas to have to accept that, well, (1) we have an advantage that fruition.” I am trying to show that as leadership, we our geography provides for the filming, and we should have to see that we provide a conducive environment find ways of connecting with countries which have high for our youth to do what they studied at schools because population where our children can be able to become they are well equipped with skills. part of this film value chain.

Mr Speaker, when I get onto the issue of the creatives, Mr Speaker, drawing to a conclusion, I remember the I want to applaud and appreciate one artist from quote which says, ‘count your age by friends who come Mmathethe-Molapowabojang Constituency number 49 through for you on bad days.” Mr Speaker, I want to by the name Thabang Gaarogwe who is well known for take this opportunity to appreciate all those who came the song, ‘Ke a gana,’ for he managed to score a four- through for us when we needed help at Mmathethe/ year deal with Sheer Publishing Company, which will Molapowabojang. Recently when we asked for expose him now to international gigs. It is something assistance, our primary schools in Maisane, Diabo and that we encourage as the government so that we expose Dipotsana got the donation of radios, books, school bags our artists to the international market because our and vouchers for pupils from MasterCard Foundation population cannot sustain all of them. The creatives, led by former President Dr Festus Gontebanye Mogae in I want to promise them that the Ministry of Health collaboration with Red Cross led by Secretary General and Wellness is going to utilise them. We are going to Mr Mokokomane. We appreciate that a lot because we utilise their service. We are going to utilise them help know that from time immemorial that is what former us to spread the message; whether it is our strategy in Presidents do like what we saw done by Dr Mogae. integrated community health care, COVID-19 or other I also want to appreciate Debswana who mostly look issues. I want to encourage all ministers to spread the around the outskirts of Jwaneng and see where the need message that COVID-19 is showing us that there is is, where they can take the services and how. Every no how they will ever be able to generate income by now and then they cast a glance at Maokane. I suspect gathering people. We should find ways that can assist that I might be missing out because every time they are them to generate income. We should enable… supposed to assist us, when they think about Maokane MINISTER OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, road, they get demoralised. I want to thank them that SPORT AND CULTURE DEVELOPMENT (MR recently they came with Kalcon Company to assist RAKGARE): Elucidation. Thank you very much Mr Mogale pupils with a porta cabin that gave them dignity Speaker. Thank you very much Honourable Minister. because there was no confidentiality when it came to

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providing Guidance and Counselling services to pupils. Mr Speaker, in the State of the Nation Address (SONA), I believe those are commendable and welcome efforts. His Excellency touched on several key points. Let me start my debate by focusing on Defence, Justice Let me also thank those who ensured that our constituency and Security. Mr Speaker, as pertains Administration gets hydroponics. Those efforts are admirable. I also of Justice, the main aim is to provide justice services appreciate Mr Otsile Moje for donating masks and of high quality to every Motswana and everyone in sanitisers mid-year at Mmathethe/Molapowabojang Botswana. Therefore, my ministry continues to improve to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That cannot go prosecution and court systems. Some of them include unnoticed. Most of the time we create such a welcoming establishing Commercial Courts in Gaborone and atmosphere for our guests such that you cannot help but Francistown in 2021. come back in a short period of time. Mr Speaker, on the matter that was presented before I also want to thank Lekgwathe Choir from our us by the Chairperson of Women’s Caucus, we have constituency. Recently they donated stuff that is used a challenge of trying to fight Gender Based Violence in the fight against COVID-19 at Mogojogojo. We (GBV) in this country. Recently, Attorney General gave appreciate that. You became exemplary in showing that a directive to establish Courts which will deal with choirs are not just about singing, they also have a way of GBV cases. This instruction will be effective from 1st relating with morafe. That cannot go unnoticed. December, 2020, as the message has already been sent. Mr Speaker, I want to thank you very much. I want to Moreover, these organisations have been instructed to thank my fellow Members. Thank you very much. also focus on all cases which are related to GBV as soon as possible. The intention of the new programmes is to MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND address the concerns that the nation talks about from SECURITY (MR MMUSI): Thank you Mr Speaker time to time which have also affected this country. So for giving me this opportunity. Mr Speaker, I have been we will continue to try our best to fight against all these in Parliament for a year now. I want to thank Parliament challenges as a ministry. and its staff for what it has taught me in a period of a year. We are also dealing with issues of bails; we are going to fight with everything to ensure that these laws are I want to thank all Honourable Members for what I have amended. We are going to bring Sex Offenders Register learned from them. I have learned a lot of things from in Parliament and members from my ministry are you this year. I wanted to thank Honourable Nkawana, going to attend the General Assembly tomorrow. So I he is not here. I heard that recently in his debate he encourage all Members of Parliament to attend so they apologised. Apology accepted, may God bless you can also advise us because we want it to be approved wherever you are. and be implemented as a law.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… As I mentioned, we will continue to work hard. We are in the process of empowering a committee of all who MR MMUSI: …(Laughter!)… Mr Speaker, thank you deal with cases, especially criminal cases; Criminal very much and Honourable Moswaane. Honourable Justice Forum which comprises of Directorate of Lesaso tell him that he is forgiven. Thank you sir. Public Prosecutions (DPP), Administration of Justice HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. (AoJ), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Botswana Police, Law Society, Botswana MR MMUSI: Oh! I just started!... (Laughter!)… Prisons and others.

ASSISTANT MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, I will move on to issues of national security; Mr Speaker, TRADE AND INDUSTRY (MR MOLEBATSI): our country deserves... Elucidation. I want to stress that you did well to forgive him but he should never repeat that, those are words that MR HIKUAMA: Clarification. Thank you Minister can separate people. Nkawana should never repeat that. for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate that your ministry is intending to adhere and protect the interests MR MMUSI: Thank you Honourable. I will get to that and goods of those who need peace on them. I am but it is fine. concerned about a certain issue, especially the one

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related to livestock theft. It seems like the justice system discussed and solved this issue in the presence of that we use protects thieves instead of livestock owners Dikgosi and they also accepted it. So, let me proceed or cattle, those whose livestock is stolen. Thieves are with... stealing from time to time but they are released. How do you address this issue Minister? HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker.

MR MMUSI: …(Laughter!)… we continue to amend MR SPEAKER: No, Honourable Mmusi… everything, you can ask Honourable Lucas. I visited his HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure. constituency even though he wanted to deny it yesterday, he said that Zimbabweans steal cattle and do other MR SPEAKER: Honourable Mmusi, I made a ruling. things. We dealt with this issue at Honourable Lucas’ constituency, it is only that I did not want to fight with MR MMUSI: Thank you Mr Speaker. It is fine sir, I him in Parliament as I am a humble person. The truth is, withdraw. he was not telling the truth, he was exaggerating. MR SPEAKER: Thank you.

HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Laughter!)… MR MMUSI: Thank you sir.

MR MMUSI: Thank you Mr Speaker. HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Murmurs)…

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Was he really MR MMUSI: …(Laughter!)… Mr Speaker, we are exaggerating? challenged by corruption as a country, we are dealing MR MMUSI: Yes, he was exaggerating. with human trafficking offences, cybercrime and others. We are doing our best to fight these issues even though we HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Laughter!)… are still dealing with COVID-19, which brought about more challenges Mr Speaker. The ministry has started MR MMUSI: …(Laughter!)…Mr Speaker, our country using Private Security Services Act 2015, which has is concerned because of increasing number of criminal broadened private organisations services and national cases. As a country, we find ourselves … security. We are collaborating with Business Botswana HONOURABLE MEMBER: Point of order. and other different stakeholders for this job. We have already started it and consultations are also in process. MR MMUSI: …facing... We also believe as soon as this law is implemented as per our wish, it will create jobs for many Batswana HONOURABLE MEMBER: You never keep quiet so they can work, get good salaries and our existing when others are debating. challenges will also decrease.

MR LUCAS: Point of order. Mr Speaker, the Minister Mr Speaker, I will move on to talk about issues of the is completely out of order to say that I was exaggerating military. Our country is interested in peace, to continue while I am addressing a situation of livestock theft that to have a good economy and this can only be a reality if I know exists at Bobirwa Constituency. our military is stable and does not have the challenges HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Murmurs)… that we can see today. I would like to commend our military because they are working with different MR LUCAS: I request him to withdraw that statement ministries. If we can take Botswana International because people are impoverished as a result of livestock University of Science and Technology (BIUST), they theft at Bobirwa. He is increasing peoples’ distresses by are collaborating on bringing about solutions where saying that. they will be able to use technology …

HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Murmurs)… HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Mmusi, withdraw your MR MMUSI: Eish! statement. HONOURABLE MEMBER: I am here. MR MMUSI: No Mr Speaker, I visited Honourable Lucas’ constituency last time, he knows that. We MR MMUSI: Which side are you calling from?

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HONOURABLE MEMBER: This side. MR TSHERE: Clarification on the cameras. Thank you Honourable Speaker and thank you Honourable Minister MR LESASO: Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. for yielding. Just a question on the surveillance cameras Minister, you mentioned human trafficking as one of the that you are installing. Some people are complaining challenges which this country and other countries across that they are installed too close to their homes, so they the globe are dealing with. Perhaps you can clarify how do not have privacy, how do you… much this challenge has affected Botswana and how are you dealing with it as a Ministry of Defence, Justice and HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… Security? MR TSHERE: Thank you. MR MMUSI: Were you saying how much has it affected us? Sir, it has greatly affected us, it is only that MR MMUSI: No, I have never encountered that issue. I did not get the statistics but we have them, it is a great In most cases if people have complaints, they lodge challenge. I was talking... them to my office. Maybe we can take it offline and enlighten me that if Honourable Lucas feels that it is MR GREEFF: Clarification. Thank you Minister for close to his home, I can see where the problem is. yielding. Minister, you are on point when you talk about crimes like human trafficking and others. Perhaps you HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… should clarify the issue of drugs because it seems like MR MMUSI: ...(Laughter!)... Honourable Speaker, I they are all over the streets of Gaborone and in schools. will now get to Prisons Department. Mr Speaker, we What can you say about this issue, perhaps you should continue to receive prisoners and we try by all means to expand Diamond and Narcotics Squad (DNS) so they rehabilitate them… can deal with it because I believe this crime is greater HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. than human trafficking. Kindly pay attention to this issue Honourable. Thank you. MR MMUSI: Honourable, no! You had your own 35 minutes, leave me alone. MR MMUSI: Thank you Honourable Member of Parliament (MP). That is a great suggestion sir, I will HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Laughter!)… take it as a homework. I was still addressing the issues MR MMUSI: …(Laughter!)…Numbers… of our military, that we commend them, they continue to assist us during tough times of COVID-19. These HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… are people who were escorting trucks who worked day and night, they were also controlling everything during MR MMUSI: No, come join the Botswana Democratic Party first. The overall numbers have reduced from lockdowns. They also collaborated with the Ministry 4,016 in the first six months of the year… of Health and Wellness to set up a hospital or a clinic which provided Intensive Care Unit (ICU) so as to assist HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Interruptions!)… with equipment needed for COVID-19 at Sir Seretse (Applause!)… Khama Barracks. MR MMUSI: …currently they are at 3,710. We are Botswana Police Service; it has plans to use technology happy that the numbers are reducing…but we are still to fight crime and improve their services. We are aware facing a challenge. However, there is still overcrowding Honourable Greeff as you mentioned, we have problems in prisons… of drugs. Last year, or the past two years, the police HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. realised that if they can install technology which is cameras it will help fight crime. Phase one of installing MR MMUSI: Wait first, let me conclude this point cameras in Gaborone is complete, although they were then I will yield for you. In maximum prisons for not installed in all areas but it made a huge difference. serious crimes like murder, rape and armed robbery, They can manage whilst being at a safe place where this shows that as a nation we have to introspect and they can view incidents and follow them if there is a try by all means to fight these ills. This task calls for crime. They are currently rolling out the project, these the cooperation of all Members of Parliament to fight cameras are being installed at Francistown. this challenge. That is my brief comment towards this

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department Mr Speaker. Oh! Anyways, let me yield then MR MMUSI: Enormous houses sir! Oh! You can say get to another issue. that again. But we do not have resources sir. We do not have resources like internal roads Honourable Molale. It MR LESASO: Clarification Mr Speaker. Minister, I would really assist us if we have internal roads. Current took keen interest on your report of security. My wish roads, if it rains like it does now, people in those areas is that perhaps as you talk about your department, face a lot of challenges. So we implore the Honourable you can give us figures which can enlighten us on Member to help us to upgrade that sub-council and sub- the challenge you are facing to view how much you land board to be able to attend these issues quickly… are accomplishing, your non-accomplishment and challenges? Try to expand on those, you can share just HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. a bit of that information so that we have an idea so that tomorrow when you request for funds we can see how MR MMUSI: We are travelling there, but we take a to help. long time…

MR MMUSI: Thank you Mr Speaker. I understand you HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. Honourable Member but I simply wanted to enlighten MR MMUSI: Please wait Honourable, hey! on our accomplishments this year which are aimed at fighting crime, and I did not bring figures. I think some HONOURABLE MEMBER: It is your friend, will come as questions but you can see that I am trying Ramogapi. to support my statements with figures. MR MMUSI: Wait first…(Laughter!)…But as we Earlier on Honourable Tshere asked a question regarding travel in that road, our duties are left behind. Honourable his constituency and I tried to give him figures. So Molale, you constructed internal roads at Gabane and the same goes for you, we are in Parliament together, we are grateful. However, please go and inspect those if you want enlightenment you can notice a question roads Honourable, the quality is very low, they are Honourable Member. unsatisfactory. Honourable Minister, ensure that before the company leaves the site, inspect those roads because Mr Speaker, let me get to my constituency, the one which people of Gabane-Mmankgodi are not satisfied. voted for me of Gabane-Mmankgodi. It is an urban area, close to Gaborone, it starts from I want to talk about the road from Mogoditshane, and ends at Mmankgodi. It is a constituency which which passes Gabane and Kumakwane to Mmankgodi contributes to the economy of this country because a Junction. I was discussing this road with Honourable large working population are from this constituency. Segokgo although he is not here, Honourable Minister However, this constituency has a lot of challenges, it Serame will pass on the message. Honourable Segokgo has been a long time since it had proper developments. promised us a road and said it has been allocated funds, I believe that in order to help this constituency, so we implore that the contractor should hurry and start Honourable Minister Molale and Honourable Minister the project. We all know that people from villages like Mzwinila should ensure that the current Mogoditshane- Kanye travel through Moshupa and Thamaga, they Thamaga Sub-Council and land board sub-council are work in Gaborone, and the traffic and accidents of this upgraded to main council because if you take a village road are very high. We request that this road should be like Mogoditshane and villages of Metsimotlhabe, maintained. Tsolamosese, Diagane, Kumakwane and Thamaga, There is another road from Gabane to Tloaneng and they fall under Mogoditshane-Thamaga Sub-Council. to Mmankgodi, it should also be constructed. Even If it can be turned into a main council and main land that one like he promised me, I am pleading with him. board, we were going to see a lot of developments. I Honourable Serame, on my behalf, take this message to am saying this because people working in Gaborone and Honourable Segokgo and tell him that this road should those in these areas have built very big houses. Areas be constructed. This road can be connected to the one like Metsimotlhabe, Lesirane, Mogoditshane Block 9, from Manyana to Moshupa, which connects to the one Tsolamosese, Diagane, Tloaneng, Mmokolodi, up to from Kanye. It can ease the traffic on this one that will Mmankgodi, they have built very big houses… be under construction. Like I said, people have built HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… luxurious houses. They have taken their retirement,

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gratuity and pensions to build houses, but they cannot would be compensated with plots. This issue is a major go there or appreciate the houses they have built when concern for our parents because they no longer know they were working because there are no roads. We have what the story is with land board. We are really pleading a problem of water shortage in our constituency. There is with you that these issues should be resolved quickly unreliable supply of water in our constituency. Then you and our parents can give their ploughing fields to the take villages like Mmankgodi and Gabane, every week Government so that Government can be able to allocate pipes blast. Honourable Mzwinila, I am requesting you plots. Our waiting list at our Mogoditshane Sub-Land Honourable Member to act. People can spend three to Board is very long and that is a lot of people. Ploughing four days without water. Like I was saying, most of the fields are there and we requested that people should be people that are working, they come to work in Gaborone allocated plots, layout plans should be made and after every day and they always have no water, that is not a that, the land will be serviced gradually. If layouts could good thing for us. Honorable Member, I request that this be made and people be allocated plots, they could begin water situation should be rectified. developing their plots because when people have no proper accommodation, they cannot live a good life. When I focus at Honourable Dikoloti’s ministry; Honourable Member, these are major villages, but when When you go to our constituency at villages like Gabane you look at the clinics that we have, they are very old. and Mmankgodi, children stay at their parents’ homes When you get to clinics in Metsimotlhabe, Gabane, and they cannot do anything for themselves. Others Tloaneng and Mmankgodi, we hope they can get ended up purchasing cars with the money they could be renovations and also be extended because at the moment using to develop their plots and make a living. Their during these times of COVID-19, when it is raining, cars do not last, they break down. I request that land you will find that there is overcrowding. They cannot board should address these issues quickly. Yesterday follow the protocols of COVID-19. They cannot seek Honourable Matsheka was talking about Dikgosi medical help, and there is also shortage of doctors in at Lobatse, Honourable Autlwetse or Honourable the constituency, we see them occasionally. For people Molale, we have many Dikgosi and Dikgosana in our who come from Mmankgodi to get better medical help, constituency who are not paid. They are just there, they they have to go to Thamaga and Manyana. People from are working but they are not paid. Honourable Molale, those areas will end up chasing us away wondering why we request that you should meet your colleagues to see we cannot seek medical help from our area because I that these Dikgosi are paid as they work every day. I believe they also have their problems regarding medical request Honourable Member that Dikgosi should be help. I also heard Honourable Motaosane complaining paid, they should be given their money. about Thamaga Hospital and that he requests assistance. If the people of Mmankgodi are going to seek medical We have Mmankgodi Farm, Honourable Rakgare, help there, that will not be a good thing. Honourable which we have long talked to Botswana National Youth Dikoloti, have mercy on us so that something can be Council (BNYC) about it. Mmankgodi Farm is a farm done about these hospitals and they can be refurbished. that has everything; boreholes and kraals. It has not been used in a long time. We met with BNYC Honourable We have small villages like Mokojwe, Fikeng, Member, and they said they will get back to us. Even up Mophakane, Rakola, Goo-Kobue and Diphiring, and until now, we have not seen them. We want them to act they also do not have water and standpipes. We plead quickly in regards to these issues. BNYC is a farm that to have those things connected in those villages so that can develop our lives in Mmankgodi. We can be able to people can have access to water. make a living and…

The main issue in the constituency is ploughing fields. MR RAKGARE: Elucidation. Thank you very much This constituency has many ploughing fields. Our Honourable Mmusi. Honourable Member, this issue is parents had no problem returning their ploughing fields in good hands, we are handling it and we are working to land board so that land board could allocate plots to on it. Actually the Board of BNYC of the youth and the their children. Like I said, we have a sub-land board and leadership at the ministry have already made a proposal a main land board at Molepolole, and our things are not which is going to be decided upon soon. So, we are going according to plan. The parents believed that they really doing something about it. We went there with the could give Government their ploughing fields and they Assistant Minister and we saw it, it is a big farm which

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can assist us to generate income; we can produce crops, I bring this topic to this House Mr Speaker because it rear chickens, pigs, goats and so on. It can assist the is also a topic that the Leader of the Opposition has youth. touched on several times. I will show how I believe it is relevant to the discussions in this House at this moment. MR MMUSI: I am very happy Honourable Member. Mr Speaker, first of all, let us agree what the rule of law Ooh! I will sleep well today because of the kind of answer is? I think we can all agree that the rule of law is about you gave me. On Saturday when I go to Mmankgodi, I acceptance so that all persons, institutions and entities will walk with my head held high. I also want to thank are accountable to laws. Not all laws, but laws that are the Ministry of Tourism. Not so long ago the people of first of all, publicly promulgated in this Parliament, Vincent Tours collaborated with Bahurutshe Cultural in forums where laws are made, that are equally Village launching cars and a helicopter that will be used enforced, irrespective of all persons, independently to support tourism in this constituency. When you go and adjudicated, and lastly that are consistent with through our constituency, it has a lot of magnificent international human rights principles. tourism. We will support this tourism as you can see that we want this farm to be revived. We have places like I set out these principles Mr Speaker because there Dimawe where great wars were fought, when we were are three sub issues that I want to debate around this fighting the Whites. You may underestimate us but, we issue. First, it relates to the Leader of the Opposition’s know how to fight the Whites. We were victorious and often and constant displeasure with the law relating we protected this country. We thank the department of to Specially Elected Members of Parliament (SEMP), tourism who visited us and kick started this, as well as myself included. First of all, I must accept that it is Vincent Tours, which aims at transporting Batswana completely okay for the Opposition not to like this in the area. As we are approaching Christmas in this law or these provisions in the law, it is okay. But it COVID season, you do not need to go to far places is completely unacceptable that the Leader of the like where Hikuama comes from, you can simply go to Opposition constantly suggests that somehow we are Gabane-Mmakgodi riding Vincent Tours to go and show here illegitimately or without the umbrella of the law. you scenic cultural villages, cultural places, tourism He may not like the law and that is fine. He may tell the areas which are found in the constituency. Mr Speaker, people out there that when he attains power; if he does my contribution will end here, I thank you very much. attain power, he will change this, and that is fine. He can I thank this Parliament as well. Thank you Mr Speaker. tell his people that when the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is in power, we will amend this. In the DR DOW (SPECIALLY ELECTED): Thank you Mr meantime, he must send a clear message to the public Speaker for giving me an opportunity to debate this very that it is the law, it must be obeyed and respected. important speech delivered by His Excellency a few Otherwise, somebody is going to run a red light because weeks ago. Mr Speaker, I acknowledge the contributions they do not think there should be a red light there. of all the Members who have spoken so far. In my Somebody is going to decide to take somebody’s goat debate, I will touch on eight points, I hope that I have because he believes there should be no law around the discipline to allocate the time to be able to cover all private ownership of goats. So he cannot do that. the eight points. Let me just say them out Mr Speaker at the beginning of my debate, I will touch on the issue The other thing that is very, very important, and I of the rule of law, Constitutional review, the review think the people in his constituency must listen. At the and or adjustment of divisions or delimitation of our beginning of this session, he declared his dislike of the country, that is the regions and or districts. I will touch provisions that relate to the creation of a Parliamentary on litigation by and against the Government, criminal Committee that is actually created by law. I really think justice system, access to justice, land issues, that is the it is important to understand, and he probably in two laws, policies and practices. Lastly Mr Speaker, I would occasions, first of all, publicly out there, and then also spend some time talking about good governance. in this House, he actually declared that he will not and Mr Speaker, let me start on the topic about the rule his party will not join this particular committee. Again, of law. This is something that His Excellency has it is a committee created by an Act of Parliament. It mentioned very often in his speeches, and he certainly is okay for him not to like the law, it is okay for him devoted some time talking about that topic in the State to tell the people out there that when I take power, of the Nation Address (SONA) that he delivered here. that is one of the first laws that I am changing. Also,

32 Hansard No 200 Wednesday 25th November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

what is important about this particular Act, I think it is Committee to examine the expenditure, administration important for people to know because he made it to seem and policy of the directorate.” That is the DIS, and you like the President was somehow abusing his powers or are going to say, “I am not sitting there because the somehow could actually decide to change the law for his second paragraph says the appointment shall be done by benefit or to frame it the way he likes. This relates to the the President”. The President is a Member of this House Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence Security; what and the leader of the ruling party; Him, the Speaker and is this committee? In 2008, by an Act of Parliament, an Leader of the Opposition after consultation, there shall Act of this House, not the people here but this House, be a committee and it actually says, both sides shall sit. there was a law that was enacted called the Intelligence Then you say I am not going to sit there because the and Security Services Act and this particular Act also President... created various committees, the purpose of which was to oversee... HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification.

MR HIKUAMA: Point of clarification. Thank DR DOW: Time is not on my side Honourable Member. you Honourable Minister. Thank you Mr Speaker. You will clarify tomorrow at 11 a.m. because I have got Honourable Member, do you want to suggest, that it is only three minutes today. He does not like the law and unlawful for a Member to protest or show displeasure therefore, he refuses. People voted for him to come and against an unjust law? represent them. One of things is that he must sit in that committee and then he says, “I will not sit on it, my DR DOW: Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am whole party will not sit on it because I do not like the not saying that. He can protest, but he must obey, that is way the law is framed.” That is not how it works. all I am saying. The last one relates to the appointment of ambassadors; HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Applause)... all the time we hear this story, “the President appointed political appointees.” Hey! Botswana Democratic Party DR DOW: In this particular case of the Parliamentary (BDP) has won power, okay? It is quite possible that Committee on Intelligence, he is actually denying when the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is in every person who voted for him a chance to see him empower, they will not appoint any political appointees. representing his interests. I do not know if you have read It will be the only country in the world where it is like the Act, the Act creates about five committees; one for that, the only place in the world. They will only appoint only Cabinet Ministers, one for Permanent Secretaries career diplomats. I would like to see that. Like what (PSs) with the Attorney General in it, different country? They say, “but he also appoints people who committees and then one for Parliamentarians. It says lost in the elections.” Of course, they gained power on there shall be nine Parliamentarians who shall sit to look a particular political platform. You are going to appoint at the expenditure of the Directorate of Intelligence and people who are going to actually run with that platform. Security (DIS), that is what it says. Then you say I am That is why the people trusted you with that mandate not going to sit on it... and then you put together your Cabinet looking at the HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. people who will make sure that, that which I promised the people, I can deliver. DR DOW: No, you will read the law, my time is up. HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Applause!)… Tomorrow I will yield, not today. It says nine Members; it says... DR DOW: Who are those people? It is quite possible that when you get a chance and I want to see that happen. HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Murmurs)... I want UDC to promise or undertake Botswana National DR DOW: Let me tell you what this committee is Front (BNF), Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Alliance supposed to be doing, may I quote Mr Speaker... for Progressives (AP) if they are a part of it and the new party, that when they take power, they will not appoint MR SPEAKER: Please do. anyone who was a part of creating the platform to come here and only appoint those who have been voted. DR DOW: This committee under Chapter 7 says, “there shall be an established Parliamentary Committee to HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Applause!)… be known as Intelligence and Security Parliamentary

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DR DOW: I want to hear you say that. When you go to the elections, you actually look at your cadres, soldiers and ask them not to take part and that when you win they are going to be ambassadors, we say that. Do not contest because we see your expertise can be used in someplace. That is how you create a team. Therefore, this suggestion that somehow you can go and appoint somebody who does not believe in your policy, I do not understand. Therefore, on that, I say the rule of law means that, a Member of this House who stands up and say, “I do not like the law and therefore, I will not obey,” it is actually sending a very wrong statement out there. They can say, “I do not like the law, I will obey it but when I get to power, I am going to change it.” Secondly, I thought I should also talk about the Constitutional review; we have talked about it. I do not think we have done much debate around issues that we think should change within the Constitution. I think this

is a time to begin to have that debate and share ideas as to what is it about the Constitution that we really want to review…

MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members. The rule of law dictates that I stop you here. It is now 6 o’clock. I shall call upon the Leader of the House to move a Motion of adjournment.

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

LEADER OF THE HOUSE (MR TSOGWANE): Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable Dow is addressing an important topic. If you could include it in the agenda of the General Assembly tomorrow in the presence of the Leader of the Opposition (LOO), so that we can clarify it to him. With that being said, I move that this House do now adjourn because we have finished our business of the day.

Question put and agreed to.

The Assembly accordingly adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until Thursday 26th November, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m.

34 Hansard No 200 HANSARD RECORDERS Mr. T. Gaodumelwe, Mr T. Monakwe, Ms T. D. Kebonang HANSARD REPORTERS Mr M. Buti, Ms Z. Molemi, Mr J. Samunzala, Ms N. Selebogo, Ms A. Ramadi, Ms D. Thibedi, Ms G. Baotsi, Ms N. Mokoka

HANSARD EDITORS Ms K. Nyanga, Ms C. Chonga, Mr K. Goeme, Ms G. Phatedi, Ms B. Malokwane, Mr A. Mokopakgosi, Ms O. Nkatswe, Ms G. Lekopanye, Ms T. Mokhure, Ms B. Ratshipa, Ms M. Madubeko HANSARD TRANSLATORS Ms B. Ntisetsang, Ms M. Sekao, Ms B. Mosinyi, Ms V. Nkwane, Ms N. Kerobale, Ms K. Motswakhumo, Ms T. Motsau, Ms O. Phesodi, Mr K. Setswe

LAYOUT DESIGNERS Mr B. B. Khumanego, Mr D. T. Batshegi, Mr K. Rebaisakae

Hansard No 200 35