1 to Ask the Minister of Agricultural

BOTSWANA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

O R D E R P A P E R

(THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER, 2020)

QUESTIONS Hrs/Mins 1100 – 1145

1. MR. S. N. MOABI, MP. (TATI WEST): To ask the Minister of Agricultural (98) Development and Food Security what measures are in place to assist people in the North East District who cannot fully utilise Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) Programme due to shortage of land.

2. MR. T. LETSHOLO, MP. (KANYE NORTH): To ask the Minister of Defence, (115) Justice and Security to apprise this Honourable House on the financial impact of cases that the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has handled and lost over the last five (5) years at both the Courts of Law and Arbitration, in particular:

(i) how much Government has had to pay out as a result of being sued over lost cases at the Courts;

(ii) how much Government has had to pay out as a result of lost cases at Arbitration;

(iii) how much Government has paid in respect of damages for wrongful prosecution; and

(iv) if the Minister is satisfied with the performance of the DPP and if not, what specific actions are being taken to remedy the situation.

3. MR. M. I. MOSWAANE, MP. (FRANCISTOWN WEST): To ask the Minister of (108) Agricultural Development and Food Security if he is aware of the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) backlog; and if so, to state what he is planning to do.

4. MR. D. SALESHANDO, MP. (MAUN WEST): To ask the Minister of (116) Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism if her Ministry is in receipt of funds from Tourism Operators within Concession areas allocated to Community Trusts; and if so, to state:

(i) how much is held for each Community Trust;

(ii) when such funds were received; and

(iii) why the funds have not been remitted to the Community Trusts.

5. MR. O. RAMOGAPI, MP. (PALAPYE): To ask the Minister of Defence, (122) Justice and Security to apprise this Honourable House on Criminal Records Bureau Police Officers stating the following:

(i) the total number of Police Officers in the Criminal Records Bureau countrywide;

(ii) if the above mentioned Officers are recognised as qualified technicians;

(iii) how many of the above mentioned officers are paid Scarce Skill Allowance and how many are not paid such an allowance;

(iv) the reasons if any, why the above mentioned Officers are not paid Scarce Skill Allowance while they perform duties of technicians;

(v) how long these Police Officers have been engaged in performing such duties; and

(vi) the timelines as to when the above mentioned Police Officers will be paid Scarce Skill Allowance.

6. MR. G. KEKGONEGILE, MP. (MAUN EAST): To ask the Minister of (125) Agricultural Development and Food Security to brief this Honourable House on progress in paying outstanding workers’ allowances in his Ministry and in particular:

(i) how many Drivers, Night Watchmen and Gate Keepers are owed overtime and shift allowances in Maun Administrative Authority and when they will be paid;

(ii) which Departments in his Ministry owe workers allowances; and

(iii) what is the long term strategy in averting non-payment of workers’ dues.

MOTION Hrs/Mins 1145 – 1300

MOTION FOR THE ADJOURNMENT – DEFINITE MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

“That this Honourable House resolves to request the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security to immediately put a moratorium on all licenses for river sand mining along Mahalapye River and all smaller rivers in Mahalapye Sub-District and ensure that quarries in Lose and Palla Road are facilitated to produce enough crush dust to meet the sand demand for construction purposes.”

(Mr. D. Tshere, MP. – Mahalapye West)

NOTICE OF MOTIONS AND ORDERS OF THE DAY

MOTIONS

NOMINATION OF A RELIGIOUS LEADER AMONG THE SPECIALLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

1. “That this Honourable House resolves that at the nomination of Specially Elected Members of Parliament, His Excellency the President must consider nominating one member who is or has been a religious leader amongst the six (6).”

(Mr. K. Nkawana, MP. – Selebi Phikwe East)

(Resumed Debate)

ACCEPTANCE OF RELATIVES AS PROXY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS APPLICATIONS

2. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to consider accepting close individuals or relatives as proxy for people with disabilities in income generating projects funding applications for institutions such as Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and other Government funded programmes (i.e. Youth Development Fund (YDF), Gender Affairs, Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID)).”

(Mr. G. Kekgonegile, MP. – Maun East)

QUESTIONS Hrs/Mins 1400 – 1445

1. MR. M. M. PULE, MP. (MOCHUDI EAST): To ask the Minister of (26) Transport and Communications to state progress on the Botswana/Republic of South Africa Bi-National Agreement of 2017 relating to tarring of all roads leading to Border Posts between the two (2) countries for ease of doing business and if there is no progress, what is the Ministry doing to resuscitate the matter.

2. MR. C. GREEFF, MP. (GABORONE BONNINGTON SOUTH): To ask the (39) Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development:

(i) why we have key Management positions such as Maintenance Manager at the Jwaneng Debswana Mine and Maintenance Specialists posts held by Australians when we have highly qualified and competent Batswana Engineers;

(ii) how many work permits has the Ministry passed on for approval in that regard;

(iii) what the Ministry is doing about the none compliance on legal appointments where qualified Batswana are holding appointments to caution and allow their less qualified counterparts remain employed at the expense of locals;

(iv) what the Ministry is doing about maladministration at Jwaneng Debswana Mine which compromises the safety and welfare of the employees.

3. MS. T. MONNAKGOTLA, MP. (KGALAGADI NORTH): To ask the Minister (56) of Transport and Communications if he is aware that the turn along the Trans Kalahari Highway leading into Phuduhudu Village is accident prone; and if so, to state:

(i) if he will consider developing a shoulder by the said section so that motorists from Kang can safely by-pass traffic driving into Phuduhudu which is in line with the highway engineering standard codes; and

(ii) if the same can be done at all highway intersections including the one by the Kang shopping complex.

4. MR. F. T. LEUWE, MP. (TAKATOKWANE): To ask the Minister of Health (71) and Wellness to state:

(i) when the Ministry is planning to acquire a helicopter as it was planned for and given that most recently built hospitals were constructed with helicopter pads, i.e. Maun (Letsholathebe), Serowe, Mahalapye, Bokamoso and Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospitals; and

(ii) how much was used to construct the unutilised helicopter pads in the above mentioned hospitals respectively.

5. MR. P. MAJAGA, MP. (NATA-GWETA): To ask the Minister of Defence, (76) Justice and Security:

(i) when the Nata Police Station will be relocated since the building has cracks and is dilapidated;

(ii) if he is aware that the river bank has extended and almost reached the staff houses; and

(iii) whether he is aware that Gweta Police Station has long been promised to the constituents and if so, when will the construction commence.

6. MR. O. REGOENG, MP. (MOLEPOLOLE NORTH): To ask the Minister of (102) Agricultural Development and Food Security to state:

(i) if the Ministry is amenable to allowing interested Batswana to venture into unconventional production of genetically modified food; and

(ii) if he can confirm or deny the presence of genetically modified products/food in local stores.

7. MR. T. MANGWEGAPE-HEALY, MP. (GABORONE CENTRAL): To ask the (118) Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry to brief this Honourable House on the Brand Botswana, “Brand Champion” and to state:

(i) who is the Brand Botswana “Brand Champion”; (ii) if the “Brand Champion” is aware of his or her role;

(iii) what is the role of the Brand Botswana “Brand Champion”;

(iv) if there is any interaction between the Brand Custodian and the “Brand Champion”; and

(v) what has been achieved thus far.

8. MR. K. NKAWANA, MP. (SELEBI PHIKWE EAST): To ask the Minister of (119) Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism if she would consider increasing the hunting quota for elephants given their high numbers in Botswana.

QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE

9. MR. T. B. LUCAS, MP. (BOBONONG): To ask the Minister of Health and (132) Wellness to apprise this Honourable House on local (Botswana) efforts, if any, to develop a Corona virus vaccine; and to state:

(i) if there are efforts to procure a Corona virus vaccine once it is approved and available in the international market;

(ii) if there is a budget set aside for developing a vaccine locally and/or for procuring the vaccine once it becomes available for use in the international arena;

(iii) whether there shall be a need to expand existing infrastructure and procure additional equipment in health facilities, if such a vaccine is to be procured; and

(iv) what will be the distribution criteria and priorities if such a vaccine is procured.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS AND ORDERS OF THE DAY Hrs/Mins MOTIONS 1445 – 1800

NOMINATION OF A RELIGIOUS LEADER AMONG THE SPECIALLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

(Mr. K. Nkawana, MP. – Selebi Phikwe East)

(Resumed Debate)

ACCEPTANCE OF RELATIVES AS PROXY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS APPLICATIONS

(Mr. G. Kekgonegile, MP. – Maun East)

AMENDMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL ACT

3. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to amend the Independent Electoral Act to ensure the independence of the Electoral Commission and guarantee free elections and democracy.”

(Mr. Y. Boko, MP. – Mahalapye East)

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER FORMULATING A POLICY ON PATERNITY LEAVE

4. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider formulating a policy on paternity and parental leave.”

(Mr. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. – Selebi Phikwe West)

INCREMENT OF OLD AGE PENSION

5. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider increasing the old age pension to P1 500.00 per month.”

(Mr. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. – Tonota)

CONNECTION OF NATA-GWETA CONSTITUENCY TO NTIMBALE/SHASHE DAM AS A MATTER OF URGENCY

6. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider, using the World Bank Loan to finance, connection of the Nata-Gweta Constituency (Sowa Water Master Plan) to Ntimbale/Shashe Dam as a matter of urgency since water from Dukwi Well Field is salty and contaminated.”

(Mr. P. Majaga, MP. – Nata-Gweta)

PROMOTION OF LISTING IN THE BOTSWANA STOCK EXCHANGE BY FOREIGN AND BIG COMPANIES BASED IN BOTSWANA

7. “That this Honourable House requests Government to promote listing by foreign and big companies in the Botswana Stock Exchange to enable Batswana to acquire shares in these companies thus promoting Citizen Empowerment.”

(Ms. T. Monnakgotla, MP. – Kgalagadi North)

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING MINISTRY-SPECIFIC PROCESSES FOR THE NEGOTIATION, SETTLEMENT AND/OR LITIGATION OF CIVIL CLAIMS

8. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to consider establishing Ministry-specific processes for the negotiation, settlement and/or litigation of civil claims for and against the Government.”

(Dr. U. Dow, MP. – Specially Elected)

EXTENSION OF COMMUNAL AREAS INTO WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

9. “That this Honourable House requests Government to extend communal areas into Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Kgalagadi South by atleast 10 kilometres (km) and demarcate small farms to create land for youth and small farmers so as to expand the agricultural sector.”

(Mr. S. J. Brooks, MP. – Kgalagadi South)

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER BAILING OUT NGAMILAND FARMERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO REPAY NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANK-FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (NDB-FMD) RELIEF FUND

10. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider bailing out Ngamiland farmers who were unable to repay the National Development Bank-Foot and Mouth Disease (NDB-FMD) Relief Fund which they accessed in 2008, because most of them lost a lot of cattle due to drought and they are currently struggling to raise enough herds to sell and repay the debt and for self-sustenance.”

(Mr. K. C. Hikuama, MP. – Ngami)

GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A FREEHOLD LAND AUDIT IN BOTSWANA

11. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to conduct a freehold land audit in Botswana to determine unused land with a view to acquiring such for productive use.”

(Mr. T. B. Lucas, MP. – Bobonong)

AMENDMENT OF THE DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICE ACT

12. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to amend the Directorate of Intelligence Service Act to bring institutional accountability, credibility, checks and balances.”

(Mr. Y. Boko, MP. – Mahalapye East)

PUBLIC COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE THE EXTENT OF CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

13. “That this Honourable House resolves that the President sets up a Public Commission of Enquiry to investigate the nature and extent of corruption, mismanagement, maladministration and unethical governance in public institutions with a view to formulate appropriate policies, programmes and laws.”

(Mr. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. − Selebi Phikwe West)

ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCESSES FOR THE SANCTIONING OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND/OR PUBLIC OFFICES THAT FAIL, REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO TAKE DECISIONS IN THE FACE OF CLEAR REGULATIONS AND/OR POLICY AND/OR LAW

14. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to establish processes for the sanctioning of Public Officers and/or public offices that fail, refuse or neglect to take decisions in the face of clear regulations and/or policy and/or law requiring that a decision be made.”

(Dr. U. Dow, MP. – Specially Elected)

GOVERNMENT TO UPGRADE THE MCCARTHY’S RUST, BOKSPITS AND HEREFORD/BRAY BORDER POSTS TO COMMERCIAL BORDERS

15. “That this Honourable House requests Government to upgrade the Border Posts of McCarthy’s Rust (Tsabong), Bokspits and Hereford/Bray to commercial borders to allow transportation of goods in and out of Botswana and South Africa and to extend working hours from 0800-1600 hours to 0600-1800 hours.”

(Mr. S. J. Brooks, MP. – Kgalagadi South)

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER PROVIDING DRINKING WATER TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IN FARMING AREAS (CATTLE POSTS AND FARM LANDS)

16. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider providing clean drinking water to rural communities in farm lands, ungazetted settlements and cattle posts, because drinking water and sanitation are a prerequisite for achieving a minimum standard of health and to undertake productive activities.”

(Mr. K. C. Hikuama, MP. – Ngami)

GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER A SPECIAL DISPENSATION FOR ALLOCATING LAND TO PERSONS DISADVANTAGED BY THE OLD LAND POLICY

17. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider making a special dispensation to allocate land to persons who were disadvantaged by the old Land Policy which did not allow allocation of land on account of their spouses owning plots.”

(Mr. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. – Francistown South)

GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A MINIMUM WAGE ADVISORY BOARD

18. “That this Honourable House resolves to request Government to set up a Minimum Wage Advisory Board in terms of Part XVI of the Employment Act as a matter of urgency, to investigate and recommend the needed adjustment to the current minimum wage in Botswana to address the shortfalls of the current wages.”

(Mr. C. Greeff, MP. – Gaborone Bonnington South)

GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST INDIVIDUAL ARABLE FARMERS TO DRILL BOREHOLES IN THEIR FARMS

19. “That this Honourable House requests Government to consider assisting individual arable farmers to drill boreholes in their farms in order to facilitate irrigated farming.”

(Mr. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. – Francistown South)

OUTSOURCING OF GOVERNMENT TELEVISION AND MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES

20. “That this Honourable House resolves that all Government entities including the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Botswana Police Service, to immediately disband all their television and media production services and instead outsource all production to private entities with the aim of creating employment opportunities for the many unemployed, talented creatives in Botswana.”

(Mr. T. Letsholo, MP. – Kanye North)