16 Feb 2016

The source of funding that goes towards purchasing of paraphernalia donated to elderly Batswana and Dikgosi when the President visits their villages is from benevolence of philanthropists, good hearted Batswana  and other people from elsewhere.

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said in Parliament on Monday when responding to question from MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

He said, “as part of the President’s entitlement to use of official transport, the items form part of the items he carries when he visits villages. It is therefore not possible to separate costs for the items being distributed.”

Mr Makgalemele stated that the President gives these items as official gifts from the Office of the President.MP Keoraopetse had asked the minister to state the source of funds for purchasing paraphernalia, whether the items are transported by government vehicles and the cumulative cost of transporting the goods from the time the President started giving them to distributing them to date.

The Selebi-Phikwe West legislator also wanted to know whether the President gives the items as official gifts from the Office of the President or from him at his personal level. Ends