07 Apr 2014

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has informed Parliament that Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi still holds the position of minister in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development.

Answering a question without notice in Parliament on Thursday, April 3, Mr Matlhabaphiri said however, she had been granted leave of absence from that office by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama in accordance with Section 126 (2) of the Constitution.

Furthermore, he said as such, Dr Venson-Moitoi was a cabinet minister and therefore a member of cabinet. Mr Matlhabaphiri said the ministers, who had been appointed on an acting capacity, still held the ministerial offices to which they were appointed before being appointed to act.

He said following the above, Mr Shaw Kgathi, as acting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration was responsible for matters pertaining to the National Assembly.

He said an acting minister was responsible and fully accountable as she or he had full powers and authority to act in the ministerial office to which he or she was appointed to act as provided by Section 127 (5) of the Constitution.

Mr Matlhabaphiri was responding to a question asked by Kanye North MP, Mr Kentse Rammidi who wanted to know whether in terms of the powers vested in ministers by the constitution, there was a difference in terms of accountability and responsibilities between a minister and an acting minister.

He also wanted to know whether ministers who had been appointed on an acting capacity still held the portfolios they held before being appointed to act.

He said if so, who was responsible for portfolio matters pertaining to the National Assembly and whether the substantive minister of education still officially held her position or any other ministerial office and whether she was still a cabinet member. ENDS