02 Aug 2022

The government has spent over P18 million for the President’s internal and external trips since he assumed office in 2018, Assistant Minister for State President, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu has told Parliament.

“The total cost of external trips from 2018 to 2022 is P18 004 990.43 and the total cost of internal trips is P861 903.87,” he said.

Mr Mthimkhulu noted that the President’s official and private trip costs per financial year included 2018/2019 (P3 332 546.19), 2019/2020 (P2 004 339.16), 2020/2021 (P118 650.74), 2021/2022 (P2 477 506.52) and 2022/2023 (P10 071 947.82).

He further said the travel costs included 60 external trips to Rwanda, eSwatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Qatar, United Kingdom, Morocco, Austria, Canada, Ghana, Singapore, Poland, Malta, Cape Verde, United States as well as 66 internal trips to various villages.

“This trips are divided by financial years; 2018/2019 (18), 2019/2020 (12), 2020/2021 (four), 2021/2022 (16), 2022/2023 (10). 

The number of local official trips undertaken by His Excellency the President and his private secretary on duty from 2018 to present is 66; 2018/2019 (20), 2019/2020 (15), 2020/2021 (seven), 2021/2022 (nine), 2022/2023 (15),” he said.

He noted that the objective of the local trips was to engage and consult citizens on government policies and programmes while external trips were intended to position the country’s foreign policy.

“The purpose and benefits of all of His Excellency the President’s local trips was to engage, consult and update citizens and residents of Botswana about government’s policies and programmes as well as advance his administration’s mandate. 

The purpose and benefits of His Excellency the President’s international trips was to position Botswana’s foreign policy and advance Botswana’s national interest,” he said.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had wanted to know the total number of official and private trips His Excellency the President and his entourage undertook per year since he became President of the Republic of Botswana. 

He further quizzed on the names of villages and countries he visited during the official and private visits as well as the total costs per trip, per year, including the cost of accommodation and meals for His Excellency the President and his entourage. 

Additionally, Mr Ramogapi had asked about the purpose and benefits of each trip undertaken locally and externally. Ends