Mmegi

Parley calls special sitting

TSAONE BASIMANEBOTLHE Staff Writer

Members of Parliament (MP) have been called for a special Parliament meeting to discuss the issue of their salaries and allowance amendment bill, Mmegi has learnt.

The virtual sitting will be held on October 5, 2022. MPs have agreed on a five percent salary and requested to be paid six months arrears.

A letter written on September 27, 2022 by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Barbara Dithapo reads:

“Honourable Members are invited to a special Parliament meeting on October 5, Wednesday 2022 at 1400hours to consider the National Assembly (salaries and allowances) amendment bill. This meeting will be preceded by a virtual general Assembly on October 4th, Tuesday, 2022 at 1400 hours.”

Honourable members who do not have transport of their own and need travel warrants, “should contact the District Commissioners in their respective areas, who will issue travel permits and warrants and charge them to the organisation.”

Furthermore, an inside source told Mmegi that apart from salaries and allowances, some of the issues that will be discussed include the approval of the recent rearrangement of government ministries and departments including (SOEs) and some parastatals, to discuss the end of the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and whether NDP 12 starts next year or waits for the 13th Parliament.

An insider said some bodies are creations of statutes that Parliament may need to approve mergers and acquisitions that are envisaged.

On the other hand, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chief whip Liakiat Kablay said: “I have heard of such rumours and I will be waiting for my official correspondence. As MPs, we have long agreed on a five percent agreement but it looks like there are certain errors regarding the increase of Assistant Ministers,

which needs to be rectified by Parliament.

I believe a lot will be said by the minister responsible if at all there is a special meeting. It is true we have not yet been paid our arrears, which is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. If there are any other issues, then we will be told at the General Assembly since Parliament cannot convene without having a General Assembly first.”

Meanwhile, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoO) Ditlhapelo Keorapetse said: “Yes, I have been informed about a special meeting of Parliament next week Wednesday to rectify the mistake on an Act passed in the last meeting and to also discuss matters relating to the recent rearrangement of government ministries and departments including parastatals.

It’s obviously disruptive to Committees, which are currently busy and to constituency activities of MPs. It also shows that some don’t pay particular attention to details to the extent that Parliament can be convened on an emergency basis.

It’s a costly mistake it would seem.”

He, however, said what is not clear is what Parliament’s role supposedly is in a matter that they were made to believe is a purely executive prerogative.

He said they will hear more details on Tuesday morning at both the Business Advisory Committee meeting and the General Assembly.

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2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://enews.mmegi.bw/article/281543704803629

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