31 Mar 2019

There is no assessment currently undertaken by government to review the President’s powers to appoint the Chief Justice, director of Public Prosecutions, director generals on directorates on Corruption and Economic Crime, Intelligence and Security, Finance and Intelligence Agency and secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission or the Ombudsman.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Machana Shamukuni said it was so because most of those powers were conferred by Parliament not so many years ago, and some as recent as 2018.

He explained that, notwithstanding, should the necessity to further amend the law arise, government would consider it.

MP for Jwaneng-Mabutsane, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile wanted the assistant minister to explain what measures were taken to institute reforms for removal of exclusive presidential powers in the appointment of the said top personnel to allow for wider consultation and transparency on those appointments. ENDS