07 Aug 2015

The Vice President is entitled to official transport for both private and official business at all times.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, said the mode of transport used was dependent on the nature, distance and time required for such as determined by his schedule and security requirements.

Mr Makgalemele said it was also important to note that the Vice President’s travel expenditure was not in terms of the current books of accounts  broken down by the purpose of his travel, more so that he seldom travelled for a single agenda item.

Similarly, he said, cost break downs by mode of travel were not always available, as the VP’s travel mostly involved a combination of both air and road transport.

Notwithstanding the constraints and limitations posed by those,  he said since the beginning of the current financial year up to the end of July, the places visited by the Vice President using Botswana Defence Force aircrafts and government vehicles, be it for official, private or political activities included Ghanzi, Mochudi, Selebi Phikwe, Molepolole, Maun and Kasane.

He said from April  to July, approximately P170 000 was spent on the VP’s transport and fuel in his air and road trips countrywide.

Mr Makgalemele further said the cost of vehicle had been included in the figure and as for accommodation cost payable by the state, about P48 000 was spent during the said period for the VP and his entourage.

He said where meetings tied to official duties,  government covered accommodation cost while for party business, the VP met the costs of his accommodation and food.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had wanted the minister to state places visited by the VP using BDF aircrafts during his campaign for the chairmanship of the Botswana Democratic Party.

He also wanted to know the total fuel and other ancillary flying costs during the campaign trail, areas visited using government vehicles, and the cost of vehicle and hotel accommodation for him and his entourage paid by the government during the campaign period. Ends