28th September 2020
Sello Motseta
The ruling Botswana Democratic Party(BDP) used its parliamentary majority to extend a 6 month state of emergency enacted on the 2nd April 2020 to contain the rise in local transmission of COVID-19 after the lifting of movement restrictions on the 22nd May 2020 citing the rising number of positive cases in the Greater Gaborone Zone where local transmission surpasses imported cases from outside.
The first case of COVID-19 in Botswana, a small, diamond rich and landlocked southern African country with a relatively small population of 2.3million was recorded on the 31st March 2020, with the figures rising dramatically to 1968 positive cases and 16 deaths between 23rd July and 27 September 2020.
“The disease burden has made it clear and imperative for us to extend the state of public emergency in the interest of the public. In this context, i will request Parliament, through a motion, to extend the state of public emergency by a period of 6 months,” said Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana in remarks at the National Assembly during the extraordinary meeting of Parliament today.
He said, “Secondly, and in this particular instance, a declaration of the state of public emergency by the President allows the promulgation of regulations. These regulations include controlling the movement of people, restricting public gatherings, the prohibition of entry into the republic by non-citizens, suspension of retrenchments of workers and certain laws, as well as, the provision for payment of people affected by the regulation. These instruments are necessary to contain the pandemic, unfortunately, are not within the powers of the Director of Health Services.”
According to officials the challenge with declaring an emergency under section 23(2)(c) of Emergency Powers Act, is that it only envisages a short term emergency situation lasting for a period not exceeding 7 days whereas a public emergency declared by President in terms of the constitution, Parliament is given powers to approve an extension not exceeding 6 months at a time.
During the initial state of public emergency period Government introduced 62 pieces of statutory instruments controlling the movement of people, limiting number of people during social gatherings and introducing the compulsory wearing of face masks in public. It has also regulated closure of businesses, closure of schools and liquor outlets and suspended use of public transport.
Government also closed some ports of entry into Botswana, suspended issuance of visas to travellers, particularly from high risk countries as well as subjecting returning citizens and residents to a 14 day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Botswana.
It also established a COVID-19 Relief Fund and spent P1,844,677,264.00 billion to provide support for wage subsidies for ailing businesses, distribution of food hampers to needy families, acquire health supplies like quarantine services and supply of thermometers and protective clothing, employment of temporary Safety and Health Officers and social workers to provide psychological services as well as to support citizens in the diaspora.
But leading opposition figures are not impressed by what they see as an unnecessary trampling of civil liberties with the leader of the opposition in parliament saying the Government has used the previous declaration of a state of public emergency to arrest political opponents and make empty promises.
“Households are under severe financial strain with wages in the tourism sector cut and the wage subsidy not in place to assist them. Electricity and fuel costs have also gone up with companies facing uncertainty because they are not allowed to retrench employees or restructure,” said Dumelang Saleshando, President of the Botswana congress Party(BCP) and leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
He said, “The World Health Organization(WHO) says no to lockdown and the region is opening up.”
Botswana was however bucking the trend and becoming more insulated from its neighbours. The ruling party also allegedly misled people into believing they would not be retrenched, go hungry or kicked out by landlords for failing to pay rent timeously.
Saleshando complained of a rise in incidences of corruption with individuals associated with the ruling party profiting greatly from covid-19 related tenders whilst vast majority of people around the country were hamstrung by a depreciating economic climate and a pandemic restricting free movement.
