31 Jul 2019

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Machana Shamukuni has presented for second reading the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Bill, 2019 to Parliament.

Presenting the Bill on July 30, Mr Shamukuni stated that the purpose of the bill was to make provisions requiring declaration of assets and liabilities of certain categories of persons.

Such categories, Mr Shamukuni noted included the political leadership, public officers of public bodies and local authorities such as councils and land boards, as well as parastatals and heads of private enterprises.

The Bill also made provision for declaration to be made to certain officers and their submissions to the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) for safe-keeping.

Mr Shamukuni said the Director General had the powers of enforcement of the provisions of the bill generally.

Contributing to the debate of the bill, MP for Mahalapye East, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the bill was appropriate as for a long time political leaders had been viewed as economically benefiting  through their political offices.

Ms Tshireletso noted that the piece of legislature would help leaders especially politicians to self-introspect and ‘not milk out the country’s economy’ using their political powers but rather save their earnings whilst still in office in preparation for their retirement.

She also said the Bill would assist leaders to have good conduct and not engage in corrupt deeds.

MP for Nkange Mr Edwin Batshu commended the presentation of the bill, saying it would help curb the rising incidents of corruption in the country.

However, he said the DCEC should be capacitated and given more mandate in order to execute efficiently. Mr Batshu said perpetrators should be punished accordingly ‘to send a message to others.’ Ends