The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) views the recent press statement issued by the UDC Chief Whip, Hon. Sam Digwa, regarding the collapse of parliamentary proceedings due to a lack of quorum, with utter dismay. Hon. Digwa’s attempt to sanitize a blatant dereliction of duty is not only disingenuous but serves as a demonstration of a high level of arrogance and a profound disrespect for Parliament as a sovereign institution.
1.0. Deflecting Accountability
The Chief Whip’s statement attempts to shift the blame onto “temporary arrangements” and ministerial travel. It is the primary responsibility of the Government Whip, in liaison with the Leader of the House, to ensure that the business of the people proceeds without interruption. To suggest that the House failed to sit because they “realized” mid-morning that Ministers were away is an admission of gross incompetence.
2.0. Misleading the Public on Attendance
In a desperate attempt to create a “shared failure,” Hon. Digwa has resorted to dragging BCP attendance into his narrative. Let the record be clear:
The BCP maintained over 65% attendance (10 out of 15 members present), a commendable ratio for an opposition block. By contrast, the governing collective failed to mobilize their own numbers to meet a basic quorum, despite holding the mandate to govern.Using the BCP as a scapegoat for the UDC’s inability to manage the House is a cheap political ploy that undermines the gravity of the situation.
3.0. Disrespect for the Institution
Parliament is not a social club that convenes at the whim of the Chief Whip’s convenience. It is the supreme law-making body of Botswana. By prioritizing “Kgotla meetings” and “business events” over the scheduled business of the National Assembly, the UDC Whip is effectively telling the taxpayer that parliamentary work is a secondary priority.
To blame a lack of quorum on ministerial travel that was planned weeks in advance is not ‘accountable leadership’, it is a confession of a total collapse in coordination.
4.0. Our Position
The BCP demands that the Chief Whip apologize to the Speaker and the nation for the loss of valuable legislative time. We will not allow the UDC to normalize mediocrity or treat the National Assembly with such casual indifference.
The BCP remains committed to its role as a vibrant, disciplined, and present opposition. We are in the House to work, even if the Government of the day has forgotten how to.
Caterpillar Kainangura Hikuama, BCP Parliamentary Whip
