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The third meeting of the fifth session of the 11th Parliament adjourned last Friday marking the conclusion of the session prior to the much anticipated 2019 general elections billed for October 2019.
STAFF WRITER BAKANG TIRO looks into the MPs performance record in the just ended Parliament session, pitting the best performers against those who did not perform well.
The last seating of parliament turned out to be a busy one as majority of its events was dominated by the debating and passing of bills including the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities one. The bill attracted diverse views from MPs across the aisle in the august house.
However, there are some MPs who failed dismally to make meaningful impact on the debates of the bills that have been brought before the parliament by ministers who tabled such bills.
Good performers
Here is a glimpse of perfomance by some MPs who did well during the session.
Haskins Nkaigwa
Gaborone North legislator who is also seeking second term has done well as on numerous occasions probed the cabinet on serious issues that comprises of public worker’s welfare.
The outspoken MP has turned out to be a speaker for the issues affecting the police officers more especially special constables as he took minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Shaw Kgathi head on several occasions.
He has expressed concern on how the Special Constable’s welfare seems to be compromised.
Nkaigwa also made a significant contribution in debating the bills tabled before parliament.
Dorcas Makgato
Despite being part of cabinet, Sefhare-Ramokgonami legislator has proven to be one of the most vocal MP who forms part of cabinet alongside Nonofo Molefhi as compared to others.
Makgato despite being at loggerheads most of the time with some of opposition MPs has also never shied away of making contributions in the bills presented as well as being always present in parliament.
She also stood in the ground to protect both President Mokgweetsi Masisi and vice president Slumber Tsogwane whenever they received onslaught from some of rude opposition MPs.
Makgato has also come out to take a bull by horns when she recently taken a jab to former president Ian Khama whom she has accused of de-campaigning her in favour of UDC candidate Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang.
Dithapelo Keorapetse
The chief opposition chief whip has continued to main his constituency in parliament of being known as probing MP on issues pertaining to corruption without fear or favour.
Selebi Phikwe West youthful MP has also proved to be passionate about his constituency as on most instances probed minister Eric Molale of Minerals over issues pertaining to BCL mine.
Keorapetse also took a leading role in opposing of the P 900 million Masama-Mmamashia water pipeline tender that was rejected by parliament last week as he occasionally took swipe to the BDP aisle over the tender saying the ruling party intend to use the project to gains sponsorship.
Paulsen Majaga
Apparently one could mistake the Nata-Gweta legislator to be an opposition member due to his controversial or radical deliberations in parliament as sometimes break ranks with his fellow BDP members.
Majaga who is also seeking reelection has been passionate about his constituency as he continued to probe and cornering ministers without fear on issues affecting the people he is representing.
The ever present Majaga has also been active in making contributions to parliament debates.
Wynter Mmolotsi
The Alliance for Progressives (AP) vice president and Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi is one of the most consistent active legislators in parliament.
Popularly known as AK47 in politics circles, Mmolotsi proven to be a political gem and by debate perfomance he stands out to be the best AP legislator in the ended parley session.
Francistown South lawmaker on numerous occasions complained about the abuse of state resources such aircrafts by the ruling BDP members arguing that they use the resources for political mileage.
Bad performers
Liakat Kablay
The BDP chief whip initially is known to be one of the most active vocal MPs but this time around Letlhakeng-Lephephe MP performed below expectation than in previous sessions.
Kablay has this around turned to be quiet on several occasions while in parliament, despite his ever presence in parliament.
Kgosi Lotlamoreng II
Although he is not seeking another term, Kgosi Lotlamoreng is one MP who has maintained consistency of being quiet in parliament despite water challenges that plaque his Good-Hope Mabule constituency.
Lotlamoreng only made news when he was being linked with a move to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) recently, but he announced that he is quitting politics heading back to Bogosi.
He has recently endorsed UDC parliamentary candidate Dr Patrick Molotsi who is his successor.
Patrick Ralotsia
Kanye North MP has turned out to be long time absentee in parliament since his removal from the cabinet in May as the Minister of Agriculture Development and Food Security.
Ralotsia’s only meaningful contribution in the entire ended parliament seating which started beginning of July came last week when he was debating BMC transition bill on Wednesday.
Passionate about agriculture, he said it high time government implement liberalise the beef industry through privatisation of BMC, a move which he said it is long overdue.
Ralotsia lost the BDP primary elections to Thapelo Letsholo.
Christian De Graaf
Ghanzi South lawmaker hardly attends parliament and during his presence in parliament he only keeps quiet.
Ignatius Moswaane
Known as one of outspoken legislators who don’t mince his words when talking of people’s welfare, Francistown West MP’s perfomance this time around was not satisfactory at all.
Moswaane’s presence was felt when he was debating the motion of allocating P 900 million for Masama-Mmamashia pipeline insisting that the project was not budgeted for in this financial year.
Moswaane who is also Chairman of Finance and Estimates Committee reiterated that the budget proposal was rejected because the project had been already allocated more than P 1.8 billion.
