04 Apr 2017

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi says it is the prerogative of the President as the head of state to consult with any head of any arm of government on matters of national interest.

Mr Kgathi said this while responding to a parliamentary question posed by the Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

He said it was not part of his daily routine work to keep the record of meetings held by the President, adding that, like any other minister, unless invited by the President to attend meetings which the President may deem appropriate, he would not know of the President’s specific engagement.

MP Keorapetse had wanted to know whether or not the President and the Chief Justice met with the President following the recent High Court judgement on the Court of Appeal to discuss the matter.

The Selebi Phikwe East parliamentarian had also wanted the minister to state if such meetings were common, where the said meeting was held, the specific date and time and who attended.

He further wanted to know the specific details of the meeting in terms of the agenda and what was actually discussed and whether the meeting was open or closed doors meeting. ENDS