By Phaladi Letswamotse
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Member of Parliament for Tati West Biggie Butale has said Gaborone City Council overstepped their powers in passing and adopting a motion that seeks to decriminalise homosexuality.
Gaborone City Council last week passed an unopposed motion calling for the decriminalization of same sex sexual activities, with the aim of reducing the increase of HIV / AIDS.
The motion was tabled by Marulamantsi ward councillor, Sergeant Kgosietsile following a decision by the Court of Appeal in March that pushed for government to permit the gay rights group, LEGABIBO to be registered as a society in Botswana.
Butale told The Telegraph that the effect of the motion passed by Gaborone City Council has no force or effect at law or even politically.
“Maybe it is good as news worthy item that such councillor came with that particular motion but really it has no effect,” said Butale.
The Tati West legislator is of the view that even with the motion nothing was going to change.
“The great majority of Batswana are by nature conservative; they are God fearing and consider themselves to be Christians. Their day to day lives in theory are predicated upon the teaching of the bible,” said Butale.
He said the idea of legalising homosexuality is alien to Botswana culture and beliefs. He calls for the view of the majority to be respected saying its only a few people who advocate for decriminalisation of homosexuality.
“I know the opposition including the mover of the motion are pandering to ‘modernism’ and being open minded and showing that they are progressive. To be progressive does not necessarily mean taking anything that comes outside your culture and outside the beliefs and values of society and then claim to be sophisticated,” Butale argued further.
He further said since Botswana is a democratic country the will of the majority should prevail.
Butale said he would be disappointed if some of Botswana Democratic Party members would support the motion.
“I hope my party will take the will of the majority on board. But if my party leaves me on the lurch I will be on a desperate situation,” he said.
Meanwhile another BDP MP, Assistant Minister of Local Government Botlogile Tshireletso has been advocating for homosexual rights.
In February this year Minister Tshireletso called for tolerance towards homosexuals in the society.
She made her comments when she was debating the 2016 Budget Speech delivered by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo.
