05 Dec 2016

The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration has informed Parliament that due to resource constraints Members of Parliament are not provided with official transport to perform their constituency functions.

Answering a question in Parliament on Thursday (Decemebre 1) from the MP for Francistown South Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, Mr Eric Molale however said if pre-arrangement were made with district commissioners’ offices, transport could be availed where possible.

He said as a stop gap measure Conditions of Service for Members of Parliament provide members with a constituency allowance to assist among other things in transportation and related matters within constituencies.

Responding to how they were expected to perform when they were not provided with the required resources; Minister Molale said,  "It could be that this question is partly motivated by the fact that proposals for conditions of service for Members of Parliament and others were submitted to my office sometime this year.

Even though these have been processed, the finalisation has been held in abeyance due to competing and emergent needs in the economy”.

He however said it was likely that the situation may continue for some time and therefore MP's are encouraged to continue to use the constituency allowance for purposes of performing constituency duties.  

MP Mmolotsi had asked the minister why MPs were not provided with official transport to perform constituency functions. ENDS