12 Feb 2015

Mochudi West MP Mr Gilbert Mangole has called for reforms of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) which he said to date have not proven themselves to the public. 

Debating Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration 2015/2016 budget presentation, Mr Mangole said DISS is currently operating under disrepute evident in its representation in the media and yet budget allocated to it increases every year. 

He said he does not support increased funds to the security organ for the reason that the funds are unaccounted for. Further he called for the Public Service Bargaining council to be treated seriously given its mandate adding that the government tends to not take it seriously.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs and MP for Nkange Mr Edwin Batshu supported the budget proposal. However he said that there was need for DCEC thoroughly fulfill its mandate and uproot economic crimes. He said the special court reserved to hear such cases has been underutilized having heard only 2 cases in two years. 

He also spokes in support of the budget allocation for Poverty Eradication but raised concern that there is little or no accessibility of these programmes by beneficiaries in his constituency. Further he called for market infrastructure to be built for poverty eradication produce in his constituency.

Letlhakeng-Lephephe MP, Mr Liakat Kablay said despite poverty eradication interventions by government his constituency is still faced with poverty. Mr Kablay said members of his constituency have enrolled for poverty eradication programmes but it has shown little or no results hence the people’s livelihoods remain unchanged which he said called for a revision of the programme.

On other issues he called for distribution of the government publication, the DailyNews to be widened adding that most of the areas in the outskirts of Letlhakeng still have no access to the publication which he said could assist them find job vacancies and many other opportunities. 

He also decried low coverage of his area by Department of Information Services (DIS) adding that Letlhakeng office is faced with transport constraints a problem which he says has been ongoing for five years.

Also commenting on the budget proposal Goodhope-Mabule MP Mr James Mathokgwane said success rate of backyard gardens was zero adding that there was need to adopt creative ways on poverty eradication, “at UDC we believe in creativity, Backyard Gardening has not worked,” he said.

On DISS budget he said there is absolutely no problem with having the security organ as it is international practice but the problem is how the organ is run and the lack of accountability. “We have created a monster, money is taken over the counter and no one accounts for it,” he said.

On National Aids Coordinating Agency (NACA) he said over 5,000 people were hired by BINAPS which has been supplying NACA with relevant material and programs necessary to instill behavior change on HIV/ Aids issues but there was rising fear that BINAPS will soon be dissolved on account of lack of funding. He suggested government to augment budget for NACA and consider partnering with the World Bank again which has been the major financier. 

Further he said the DCEC is not fully carrying out its mandate because there are no results of what it was established for.

Mmadinare MP Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said water supply issue must be addressed urgently because it is the primary reason why backyards gardens fail. He said Water Utilities Corporation which has been charged with the mandate of distributing water nationwide “wants to maximize profits instead of helping the people”.

He said villages in his constituency can go on for about two days without water and yet the constituency falls in the catchment area of the envisaged Agro Processing Plant. 

Further he said Foot and Mouth disease is a national disaster and vigorous mitigation methods should be instigated. 

Ngami MP Thato Kwerepe said Foot and mouth is a natural disaster and should be budgeted for as such and farmers should be adequately assisted. He said during times of disaster sometimes government officials refuse to assist villagers saying they fall outside ungazetted areas.

Further he called for Radio Botswana wavelength signal to be improved because it is difficult to tune into the radio. He said the only radio signal they get is from Namibia.

Joining in the debate Gaborone Central MP Mr Phenyo Butale said there should be security sector reforms and the role of the DISS should be clearly defined. “Parliament is acting irresponsibly by dolling out money which is unaccounted for,” he said adding that the DISS is operating under disrepute as reflected in the media.

Further he called for creativity in Botswana Television and procurement of local content. He said the budget lacked clear targets. ENDS