16 Oct 2018

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concern about the current situation where some people simultaneously served in the boards of directors of different parastatal organisations and state-owned enterprises.

PAC member and Gaborone Central legislator Dr Phenyo Butale said the practice was tantamount to undermining the talent that the country had, adding that the phenomenon was one weakness in the country and needed to be addressed speedily.

Regarding Air Botswana, whose General Manager (GM) was appearing before the committee on October 15 when the remarks were made; Dr Butale noted further how unhealthy it was for the airline’s board of directors to have a high number of politically-active people.

Air Botswana GM Ms Agnes Khunwane had earlier confirmed to the PAC that the airline was among the parastatals whose boards would be overhauled to remove active politicians following an enquiry by committee chairperson and also Tati East MP Mr Samson Guma.

Ms Khunwane said all politically-active board members would be removed.

On another matter, the GM said the airline was in the processing of acquiring four additional aircraft; two of which she said would be new while the other two would be pre-owned.

The acquisition of the new aircraft, she stated, would help to drastically lower Air Botswana’s maintenance budget.

As for whether the airline had the right number of pilots in its employ, Ms Khunwane said their number was appropriate for the aircraft fleet they had. ENDS