North West District councillors have questioned the urgency of the proposed establishment of a Constitutional Court calling on government to rather address pressing national priorities that require immediate attention.
Speaking during a recent consultative meeting addressed by Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa, majority of the councillors felt that while the new court remains an important matter, government should first prioritise shortages in the health sector, persistent cash flow challenges, poor road educational infrastructure, poverty, and unemployment.
Clarifying that they are not rejecting the new court, the councillors have requested the minister to halt the process of its establishment and focus on the mentioned priorities. Councillor for Sehithwa–Legothwana, Mmoedi Modiegi criticised that the new government has backtracked on issues that it previously regarded as essential to the lives of Batswana.
“How much will its establishment cost government looking at the required buildings, security and personnel?” asked Modiegi. He continued, “our position is that this issue should not be rushed looking at the fact that Batswana are currently faced with pressing challenges.”
Councillor for Toteng, Petrus Mbaeva also added, “it’s not like Batswana are saying the Con Court is not important but they are questioning the urgency it was brought to parliament. Is it that imperative in the current situation we find ourselves in, broke as we are. Let’s address the current the situation rather than losing over P200 million to establish that court.”
Councillor for Disana, Rizera Kazenambo urged government to instead prioritise the welfare of the people before considering the establishment of the court. He was among other councillors who were suspicious of the hurried establishment of the court worried that it’s meant to serve the interests of certain individuals. They pointed out among others the abolishment of the capital punishment.
“We are not in a constitutional crisis because the current government only highlights backlog of civil and criminal cases as well as the late Pitseng Gaoberekwe’s case which doesn’t prove the urgent need of such a court,” added Councillor for Boyei, Edward Diare.
Despite the objection by many, there were few councillors who supported its establishment. These included, nominated councillor, Mosala Dimbo who noted that people’s rights have been violated for a longer period under the previous regime and he is confident that its creation will protect them.
Another specially elected councillor, Maina Moruimang also concurred that Batswana voted the current government to protect the rights of people that were violated by the previous administration adding that constitutional court will help protect the oppressed.
In response to concerns that other departments like health are neglected and that they should be prioritised, Minister Mohwasa argued that the constitutional court is equally important.
“While we are addressing issues of health there is no how we can suspend people’s rights and say we will resolve them later. That is not how government operates, each department runs its programme parallelly.” The minister stated that the National Development Plan (NDP 12) for Botswana (2025/26–2029/30) which proposed a P388 billion development budget and the Botswana’s Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) will also address other raised challenges in various department which councillors feel are neglected. He argued that the Constitutional Court is essential to protect human rights and will also address gaps of the current legal system highlighting backlog of cases
