14 Aug 2013

When Ambassadors or High Commissioners have secured goods and services for charitable causes that are of direct benefit to needy communities in Botswana, they are required to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) or headquarters. 

This was said by MOFAIC minister, Mr Phandu Skelemani, when responding to a question in Parliament, from Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele. 

Mr Skelemani explained that this was meant to ensure that indeed the goods and services so acquired reached the intended beneficiaries.

The final determination as to which community in Botswana should benefit, was made by a Committee in the Ministry, he said. 

“The determination of the intended beneficiaries of goods and services acquired not in personal capacity, but rather in the context of performance of official duties does not solely reside with the Ambassador, High Commissioner or any duly authorized Foreign Service personnel,” he added.

For the very reason of avoiding conflict of interest and preventing any abuse of authority, Mr Skelemani said this was a process that involved both the receiving diplomatic official and MOFAIC or headquarters. 

To date, he said MOFAIC had no reported problems with the implementation of the procedures in place. He added that his Ministry had no record of any donation having been disbursed during the months of June or July 2013 on the basis of the above-stated procedure. 

However, he said in the month of July, a verbal enquiry was made by one of the ambassadors and guidance was provided accordingly.

Mr Makgalemele had asked the minister to state the procedure to be followed when Ambassadors and High Commissioners had secured goods, services and support from their mission stations before such were distributed to intended beneficiaries.

In addition, Shoshong MP had wanted to know whether in cases where such Ambassador or High Commissioner had determined intended beneficiaries, it did not amount to abuse of authority.

He had also wanted to know whether during the month of June or July 2013, the minister had received any request to donate from any Ambassador or High Commissioner. ENDS