31 Mar 2026

Consultations with former Presidents are currently ongoing to review their existing benefits and entitlements accorded to them to improve their welfare. This was said by Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa when responding to a question from Kgatleng East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule in Parliament on Monday.

Minister Mohwasa informed Parliament that former Presidents had submitted both monetary and non-monetary proposals aimed at improving their welfare.

 “Some of the non-monetary submissions can be addressed administratively, while the monetary submissions will be dependent on the country’s financial situation,” he said.

 As part of the review, the minister said the ministry would also consider benchmarking Botswana’s framework against those of other countries in the region to assess the appropriateness and sustainability of the country’s benefits framework for former Heads of State.

 Mr Mohwasa explained that the current benefits were governed by the Presidents (Pensions and Retirement Benefits) Act of 1998, as amended in 2017. “Under the law, former Presidents are entitled to a tax-free monthly pension equivalent to the monthly basic salary attached to the office, at the time that person ceased to hold office or 80 per cent of the incumbent President’s salary, whichever is greater,” he said. Other benefits, the minister said included a furnished residential house in Gaborone or a housing allowance as might be determined by the President, along with two house helpers and a gardener. Additionally, he said former Presidents were provided with fully equipped office accommodation, including a telephone, computer, office furniture and other equipment as might be determined by the President. 

Former Presidents, he said were also entitled to support staff, including security personnel, two drivers, a private secretary, a secretary and an office attendant. Minister Mohwasa further stated that government covered medical insurance for former Presidents and their spouses, as well as travel benefits such as first-class air and rail travel within Botswana. 

He also added that former Heads of State were also entitled to up to four first-class international trips per year, including for spouses, together with per diem allowances. On transport, Mr Mohwasa said the package provided for three vehicles, which included a sedan, four-wheel-drive station wagon and pick-up van, as well as access to government transport on a case-by-case basis, subject to terms determined by the President. 

He said other benefits, included an entertainment allowance as might be determined by the President and telephone, water and electricity expenses for both office and official residence in Gaborone. Mr Pule had asked the minister to apprise Parliament on the current framework governing the benefits and entitlements accorded to former Presidents. 

Additionally, the Kgatleng East legislator asked the minister to state the specific benefits currently provided to former Presidents, including, but not limited to, financial allowances, security detail, housing, medical care and staff support.

 He also asked whether the ministry considered the benefits to be commensurate with former Presidents’ past service to the nation, or whether they were deemed excessive or inadequate in light of the country’s current economic realities.

 He further wanted to know whether the ministry intended to undertake a review of the existing benefits package with a view to reducing, maintaining or increasing such benefits and whether it planned to conduct any benchmarking exercise against other countries in the region to assess the appropriateness and sustainability of Botswana’s framework for former Heads of State. ENDS