12 Mar 2013

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged legislators to support the Office of the Ombudsman.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Masisi said the Office of the Ombudsman was dedicated to prevention of corruption.

Thus, he said, it was essential given the overall strategy against corruption to ensure that the office of the Ombudsman was fully resourced.

Minister Masisi was responding to comments made by some MPs on the proposed budget for the Office of the Ombudsman of over P15 million and P417 000 for the recurrent and development budget respectively for the next financial year. The budget proposals were eventually approved.

Four MPs who deliberated on the budget had unanimously called for the Office of the Ombudsman to be fully resourced financially and with the human resources and skills they needed.

They also emphasised the need for public education so that Batswana could appreciate the work of the Ombudsman given its significance and the difference it could make in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Minister Masisi thanked members for their undivided support and acknowledged that with budgetary constraints and economic limitations, government was unable thus far to resource the Office of the Ombudsman as it should be.

The minister also acknowledged that the office had after 16 years realised the need to be much firmer hence its decision to produce regulations to aid implementation of the Ombudsman Act which is expected to be ready by the second quarter of the next financial year.

He said that the successful completion of the process will necessitate a holistic review of the legislation.

On the reduced number of cases reported to the office, Mr Masisi said that they might be reducing because Batswana have given up as alluded to by Kanye South MP, Mr Abram Kesupile.

 On the other hand, he explained that it could also be a result of the success rate or the improved performance of government in some areas but “without proper analysis it is difficult to draw a conclusion and stick to one.”

Further, he noted that the executive, as led by President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama took the Ombudsman’s report seriously and caused ministries to shape up and act. ENDS