04 Dec 2023

The office of former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama is still operational and operating at full capacity as defined and provided for in the detailed entitlements of the Former President's Pensions and retirement benefits.

Answering a question without notice, Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng said the office's full staff complement of 14 officers included a Private Secretary at D1 salary scale, technical and support staff ranging from D1 to A3 salary scales.

He said the total monthly salary for the staff was P149 803 00. Mr Morwaeng said the P3 894 960 00 cost of running the office for the 2023/2024 financial year had been budgeted for inclusive of staff salaries, utilities and other expenses.

“As of the end of November 2023, expenditure stood approximately P1 970 848 00,” he said. He said former President Khama was enjoying full retirement benefits as provided for in the law which included medical expenses both locally and when the required treatment was offered outside the country and a tax-free pension equivalent to a monthly salary of the office held or 80 per cent of the incumbent President’s salary.

Mr Morwaeng said Dr Khama’s benefits included staff which included security officers, a private secretary and other office staff, three vehicles, office and office equipment, and a fully furnished residential house in Gaborone with maids and gardeners.

Additionally, Mr Morwaeng said former President Dr Khama was also entitled to first-class travel outside Botswana to a maximum of four trips per annum and access to the use of any government-owned mode of transport on a case to case basis on local trips.

“Other benefits included entertainment allowance, telephone allowance in the office and residence as well as water and electricity allowance at the office and official residence,” he said.
Mr Morwaeng said the last known location of former President Lt Gen. Khama was South Africa. Gaborone Central Member of Parliament, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healy had asked the Minister for State President to state if the office of the former President Dr Khama was still operational and at full staff capacity as stated in the Green Book.

Mr Mangwegape-Healy also wanted the minister to state if former President Khama was still enjoying his retirement benefits as per the Constitution and Green Book as well as for the minister to inform the house on the whereabouts of Dr Khama.

As a follow-up question, MP Mangwegape-Healy had asked Mr Morwaeng if he was aware of concerns emanating from some scores of the public concerning the whereabouts of former President Dr Khama.

He also wondered what his staff was paid for since he was not in the country and further sought to understand whether it was necessary for Dr Khama to continue enjoying such benefits as he was fully active in politics. Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile wanted to establish if it was only wrong when a former President was active in politics supporting an opposition party.

Mr Reatile said other former Presidents such as Dr Festus Mogae were active in BDP political activities and it was never deemed to be in violation of their portfolio as former Presidents, therefore not eligible to enjoy their benefits.

Serowe East MP, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe also asked Mr Morwaeng to clarify whether Dr Khama’s house was still sealed by law enforcement agencies, therefore wondering why he could be said to be fully enjoying his benefits whereas his house was sealed. Kanye South MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo also stated that section 6 of the former President Pensions and Retirements Benefits Act states that, “pension and other benefits conferred by this act shall not be granted to or in respect of a person who seize to hold office of president on the ground that, that person was by virtue of that person’s own act under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience of adherence to a foreign power of state.” Mr Letsholo said his understanding was that if a person goes against his country to stand with another country, he would be in a position where he would not enjoy such benefits. He said the law wanted to guard against a former President who would resort to engaging in acts that were not for the good of the country.

Responding to questions emanating from the floor, Mr Morwaeng said he does not have evidence relating to concerns from the public on the whereabouts of Dr Khama. Even though Dr Khama was currently not in the country, Mr Morwaeng said the situation would not allow for termination of what he was entitled to as former President such as having staff at his office and residence.

He said the three vehicles at his disposal suited well with a person of his statute. Mr Morwaeng said the current law was silent on whether a former President must be active in politics. Mr Morwaeng said the law currently does not state any wrong doing in relation to his participation in active politics.

However, Mr Morwaeng hastened to say that what Dr Khama was doing was not by any chance closer to politics, as he was rather dividing the nation.

“He is also expected to respect the sitting President as he was bestowed to the position by the people and ordained by God to lead,” he said. Additionally added that he could not confirm whether the alleged attendance of Dr Khama at COP28 was one of the four trips he was entitled to.

Mr Morwaeng also added that he would not comment on the matter relating to the sealing of his residence as it was a matter before a court of law.

Mr Morwaeng had added that even though he was not a law enforcer, he was of the view that a former President must not dwell into acts that were against the ethos of the country. Ends