27 Mar 2014

Kanye North MP, Mr Kentse Rammidi has withdrawn a motion that called for the P130 million returned by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to be channeled to the Ministry of Lands and Housing for the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS).

Before the withdrawal of the motion on March 26, Specially Elected MP and also Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu said she rejected the motion, suggesting that the amount be returned to the Consolidated Fund.

She said much as the scheme was a pressing need, there were equally competing needs that required to be prioritised. Moshupa MP and also Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi shared Ms Makgato-Malesu’s sentiments.

He said the priorities would be determined by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning after looking at how the budget was stretched. Finance and development planning minister, Mr Kenneth Matambo said disagreeing with the motion did not mean that the scheme was not a priority for government.

He said Parliament should allow the executive to sit down and see how the returned amount could be utilised and then report back to the legislators. Kgatleng West MP, Mr Gilbert Mangole said he supported the motion as they agreed as Parliament to look at government departments that could utilise the returned amount.

Kgatleng East MP, Mr Isaac Mabiletsa also supported the motion and said he believed the proposal to take the money to Ministry of Lands and Housing for the scheme had passed cabinet and as parliamentarians, they understand the needs of the electorate.

Serowe South MP, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, who is also the Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), said she did not support the motion. She said the Minister of Finance and Development Planning should be allowed to come back to Parliament and table what is to be done with the P130 million.

Lobatse MP, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said he supported the motion as it was Parliament that agreed that the Finance and Estimates Committee, together with that of Lands and Housing portfolio should find how the money could be used.

He said the committees recommended that the amount should go to the scheme and if they take them seriously, Parliament should agree with the recommendation. The Vice President and MP for Mmadinare, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe said they should vote on whether they agree with the committees report and not argue about the issue.

He said there was no conniving on the part of the ruling party members to frustrate the motion from the opposition bench. Molepolole South MP, Mr Daniel Kwelagobe said the money returned should go to the Consolidated Fund and allow cabinet to determine how it is to be utilised.

Meanwhile, Parliament has passed and approved the payment out of the Consolidated Fund and the Development Fund budget for the year 2014/15 of more than P45 billion. Ends