10 Apr 2023

Parliament has been informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ priority of purchasing mission properties outside Botswana still stands.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Dr Lemogang Kwape explained that due to the exorbitant rental prices for office space and residential facilities outside Botswana that was still their priority.

Dr Kwape said Parliament did not approve purchase of properties in Botswana by his ministry in the last five financial years hence there was no amount approved for such.

The MP for Maun West, Mr Dumelang Saleshando had asked the minister to state if Parliament approved for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to purchase properties in Botswana in the last five financial years.

The minister was also requested to state how much was approved for each property and the actual amounts if any and to state what the properties were utilised for.

Mr Saleshando also wanted to know why the ministry prioritised purchases of properties within Botswana when it had occupied numerous rented properties in foreign countries.

Still in Parliament, the Assistant Minister of Health Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said construction of the promised additional houses for Tirelo Motseonageng clinic in Maboane was planned to commence in the first quarter of financial year 2023/2024.

Mr Lelatisitswe was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Takatokwane, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe in Parliament on Thursday.

He said it was true that the ministry made a promise to the community of Maboane and Debswana to provide the houses following completion of the clinic by Debswana.

The assistant minister said the procurement of furniture, information and communication technology (ICT), ambulances and Bio-med equipment were completed and delivered to the clinic during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.

MP Leuwe had asked the minister to update the House on the provision of accommodation for nurses in Maboane as it was long promised and why the clinic was not fully equipped with new furniture as it was promised, before being handed over to the public. ENDS