The idea was to remove Opposition MPs who chaired committees and to also have BDP as a majority in these bodies- Keorapetse
The 60th Meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which was scheduled from 5th to 23rd June 2023 has been re-scheduled.
The Committee was to examine all Ministries books of Accounts for the financial year, 2020/2021 as well as Responses to Auditor General ‘s Report on the 2020/2021 Accounts and Performance Audit Reports.
The committee comprises, Wynter Mmolotsi of Francistown South as the Chairperson, Pono Moathodi of Tonota, Johane Thite of Gantsi North, Tumisang Healy of Gaborone Central, Polson Majaha of Nata/Gweta and Simon Moabi of Tati West Constituency.
The postponement has raised a lot of eyebrows with Members of Parliament expressing mixed reactions.. The Voice staffer, DANIEL CHIDA engages some MPs to get their views on the matter.
Dithapelo Keorapetse-Leader of Opposition
Clearly chickens have come home to roost. The decision to kick out Opposition MPs from Parliamentary Committees have resulted in near collapse of Committees. Most parliamentary Committees can’t sit and perform their oversight duties as they cannot form a quorum.
All 24 Committees except three are made up of only BDP MPs. For the first time in many years PAC couldn’t sit during winter break to examine the books of accounts of government compiled by the Accountant General and Audited by the Auditor General.
It’ll attempt to sit during Winter Meeting, meaning that the few BDP MPs and one Opposition MP who is its Chairman will be having double sittings for normal parliament business and committee activities. This will detract from the effectiveness and efficiency of the Committee.
Last year the BDP decided to remove all Opposition MPs from all Parliamentary Committees following a motion to dissolve Committees and reconstitute them. The idea was to remove Opposition MPs who chaired committees and to also have BDP as a majority in these bodies.
Obviously oversight cannot be realised in a situation where 14 BDP MPs want to be majority in committees and chair these committees against 19 Opposition MPs. BDP backbenchers cannot vote against party caucus in which they’re 33.4% minority and the Executive is 66.6 majority and 46% of the whole House is Cabinet.
Contrary to some assumptions that the non participation of main Opposition Parties in Committees is because of a boycott, the truth is that we were effectively kicked out of Committees and have not boycotted. We have not boycotted committees work, we were kicked out and made to choose between a watered down executive controlled useless committee activities and being shown the door.
We decide we can’t be used to participate in Committees controlled at the BDP Caucus. We can’t own decisions of the BDP caucus as MPs and stamp them with Committees’ stamp. The Caucus can decide that certain witnesses should not be subpoenaed or that some evidence should not be presented or that certain matters shouldn’t be pursued by committees.
We have in the past subpoenaed Ministers, Permanent Secretary to the President, Judges, Chief Executive Officers, and even retired civil servants.
I don’t see this being possible with BDP controlled Committees. If the Backbench is in the majority and chairs most Committees they can easily vote against oversight measures or attempts. BDP can’t oversee itself. When we resisted the flagrant violation of basic oversight principles we were kicked out of committees.
What really can One MP who is participating in just three Committees do under these circumstances?
Wynter Mmolotsi- PAC Chair and Leader of Minority in Parliament
MP’s were not comfortable with the timing so they asked that it be held when parliament reconvene in July. They still want to tour their constituencies and hold meetings. Again the primary elections for most of the parties are around the corner and people are campaigning. We sat down and looked at the reasons raised and decided to postpone the sitting.
However, Umbrella for Democratic Change and Botswana Patriotic Front MPs have not submitted their names for PAC. Notwithstanding, quorum is always formed.
Liakat Kablay-Botswana Democratic Party Chief Whip
You have to take into consideration that we took three months in Parliament in the last sitting and the MPs asked to meet their constituents and address kgotla meetings.
Again at the BDP, primary elections can be called anytime, and imagine if they are to be called before your meet people in your constituency.
The postponed PAC will be done in July during the same period as Parliament winter session. It will convene in the mornings and then in the afternoon MPs go for parliament. People should not panic and come with stories that are not true.
