10 May 2022

Maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of expenditure means getting the greatest value from spending decisions and avoiding waste, errors, fraud and corruption. 

Speaking during a courtesy call paid by members of the Zambian National Assembly, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Phandu Skelemani said it was critical for administrations to apply the principles of good financial governance and prepare, plan, execute, monitor and control their spending. 

Mr Skelemani further said he was delighted that the team had chosen Botswana to benchmark against, adding that would further strengthen relations between Botswana and Zambia. Botswana enjoyed warm relations with Zambia, underpinned by shared values, common history and commitment to Africa as shown by their membership SADC members, he said. 

For his part, the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the committee was one of the standing ones of the National Assembly. Mr Keorapetse also said the committee membership comprised equal number of political parties represented in the National Assembly. 

“It consists of five members from the ruling party and five members from the opposition. The chairperson is elected from the opposition political party,” he said. 

He said the committee’s duty was to ensure proper accounting for public funds by government departments. 

To that end, the committee relied a lot on audit reports, from whose perusal they would want any discrepancies clarified. The committee’s powers, privileges and immunities included, inter alia, to send for papers, documents and records, and to summon witnesses to appear before it, should such need arise, he said. He said the review process assisted members to assess whether responses, written or oral, submitted by Accounting Officers at the hearings, adequately address the queries raised by the Auditor General. 

Mr Keorapetse also said once tabled all the committee’s reports became public document, adding the proceedings were broadcasted live to give the committee’s many followers opportunity to follow reviews. 

For his part, the chairperson of the Zambian delegation, Mr Darius Mulunda said they were interested in learning about Botswana parliamentary system and the operations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC); best practice as well as share experiences with regards to use of public funds. He said back in Zambia, his committee provided guidance on financial management and ensured there was value for money. BOPA