18 Feb 2021

The Vice President and MP for Boteti East, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has urged politicians across the political divide to be honest with their electorates as the country was going through economic difficulties.

Debating the 2021/22 budget proposals on Wednesday, Mr Tsogwane said parliamentarians should be honest and tell their constituents the truth that some developments would not be undertaken due to COVID-19 pandemic and also because they were not included in the National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11).

He said it was time for the government to re-prioritise as some projects would not be done, adding that Batswana had to be informed that the country was forced to dip from the Government Investment Account (GIA).

The Vice President said Batswana should be told the truth that Value Added Tax (VAT) even at 14 per cent remained the lowest in the region and that 28 products had been exempted.

He said government had continued to subsidise education and health sectors and many other services yet funding was needed.

He said given the challenges and the narrow revenue base, government saw it fit to increase VAT, adding that government’s prudent management of resources had paid dividends as many countries which did not have foreign reserves were sinking in debts.

Mr Tsogwane applauded the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for the measures he took to save the country by terminating the purchase of fighter jets for the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and exorbitant loans from China.

The Vice President said it was important for government to maintain its infrastructure before it got dilapidated, adding he appreciated the P210 million geared towards maintaining health facilities across the country, including those in his constituency.

He further called for the maintenance of roads, which had been damaged by the recent rains, noting that gravel roads should be maintained as they remained important. 

He also appreciated that his constituency would be provided with water through the World Bank loan and residents of Rakops, would benefit.

Meanwhile, MP for Tati West Mr Simon Moabi said he welcomed the increased VAT, but indicated that it was not the right time as Batswana had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He also welcomed the sugar tax, saying the country was experiencing high number of people suffering from non-communicable diseases.

MP Moabi said the agriculture sector was key to economic growth and employment creation and therefore it should had been allocated more funds.

He called for the establishment of the National Research Fund, saying this could help the country realise full value of its natural resources such as cassia abbriavata (monepenepe) and devil’s claw (sengaparile).

Talking about his constituency, he said Masunga population had grown therefore the village needed a second senior school.

He further said the nearest optician was in Serowe, forcing residents to travel long distances for such services.

MP Moabi said bar owners whose licences had expired should be given waivers as their businesses had been affected by COVID-19.

Residents of Mapoka want their village to be declared a sub-district and also want a satellite police station, he said .

The Tati West legislator said Mbalambi village was used by thieves to cross stolen vehicles into neighbouring countries hence the need for a police station.

He said contracts for the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers should be renewed as it would take time to recruit and employ new officers.

MP Moabi appealed to all politicians to join hands in fighting corruption and not point fingers. Ends