17 Jul 2018

 Members of Parliament have rallied  behind the National Assembly Salaries and Allowances amendment Bill; a piece of legislation that seeks to effect a three per cent upwards review of their salaries.

Gabane-Mmankgodi MP Major General Pius Mokgware said it was necessary that leaders such as MPs and dikgosi were remunerated well given the role they were playing in building the nation.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware however highlighted the importance of having in place an independent body that reviewed salaries of MPs, noting that the review by Parliament of legislators’ salaries would appear improper in the eyes of the public.Kanye North MP, Mr Patrick Ralotsia said MPs, like every working Motswana were deserving of the three per cent salary increment offer.

However, he too, like Maj. Gen. Mokgware said it did not look well in the eyes of the public for lawmakers to be reviewing their own salaries.

Mr Ralotsia said it was indeed imperative that there should be a body responsible for reviewing legislators’ salaries.

For her part, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso of Mahalapye East commended President Mokgweetsi Masisi for having stated that a Parliamentary Service Commission that would among others be responsible for the review of MPs’ salaries was in the offing.Francistown West legislator Mr Ignatius Moswaane also welcomed the proposal to set up a Parliamentary Service Commission.

Mr Moswaane said legislators lacked dignity in the eyes of business people on whom they often relied for assistance.

Ramotswa MP Mr Samuel Rantuana expressed disappointment that the three per cent offer had been agreed upon without the input of legislators.

On the Parliamentary Service Commission, he suggested that it report to parliament and not to the President.MP Dithapelo Keorapetse of Selebi Phikwe West shared the sentiment that some former MPs had plunged into destitution due to the poor pay legislators receive in Botswana.

Appealing for the de-linking of MPs’ salaries from those of public officers, the MP also emphasised why it was necessary for the Parliamentary Service Commission to be fully independent, saying it was only then that it would be effective.

Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe of Boteti East observed that while the increment was welcome, it was worth noting that salaries had long been eroded by inflation.

Making his comment, MP for Gaborone North Mr Haskings Nkaigwa disagreed with the Bill, labelling the offer an insult to MPs.

He said it was sad that the nation depended on donors due to its wealth not being in the hands of citizens. ENDS