Saleshando vows referendum rebellion
The Leader of Opposition (LOO) in Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando, has voiced strong opposition to what he describes as a “hurried” establishment of a specialised Constitutional Court in Botswana.
Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Maun this week, Saleshando addressed the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, during a public consultation session and threatened to campaign and get people to vote “No” on the matter at National referendum stage.
Saleshando expressed hope that President Duma Boko would withdraw the current proposal and instead pivot toward a comprehensive review of the entire constitution.
“If the President does not withdraw the bill when we return to Parliament next week, I will seek the support of Batswana to vote ‘No,’” Saleshando declared. “If we allow this to pass, they will continue to introduce changes at will because they enjoy a ‘tyranny of the majority.’ They want to use that power to serve their own interests instead of the wishes of the masses.”
The opposition leader further urged Minister Ramaotwana to heed the public’s skepticism. “As you have heard, the people are saying ‘No.’ There are other priority matters to address. There is no rush; we have only one constitution, and we should not use it to divide the nation. Let us stop here, return to the drawing board, and engage in constitutional education.”
Minister Ramaotwana informed the gathering that the government is preparing to launch the court following debates in both Ntlo ya Dikgosi and Parliament. He explained that the Maun kgotla meeting was part of national consultation process before the concluding debate in Parliament.
The consultation centers on Constitutional Amendment Bill 14 of 2025, gazetted on July 4, 2025. The bill seeks to create a dedicated court to rule on whether laws conflict with constitutional rights and to act as a check on legislative and executive power.
“We only need a two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass the bill and amend that section of the Constitution,” Ramaotwana noted, emphasizing that the court would have exclusive jurisdiction over the interpretation and enforcement of the supreme law.
Despite the government’s pitch, many Maun residents expressed frustration, questioning why the government is opting for a “piecemeal” approach rather than a total overhaul.
“This current government used to speak sharply against piecemeal constitutional amendments,” said Monei Ndiyane of Shashe Ward. “Now they have taken that same route. Why the sudden change?”
The discomfort extends beyond Maun. The Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO) recently criticized the timing of the consultations, suggesting the process might be a “procedural formality” designed to rubber-stamp a decision already made by the leadership.
President Duma Boko has remained firm on the matter arguing that the nation has already expressed its desire for a Constitutional Court during the 2022 Dibotelo Commission.
Addressing Parliament in December, Boko maintained that a dedicated court is an essential step in maturing Botswana’s democracy and strengthening the judicial process.
According to the President, the court is a “must” to handle constitutional matters with the urgency and authority they deserve.
