Responding to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima said the original plan was for CEDA to fund the forensic audit, however as part of cost saving it was subsumed into the national forensic audit resulting in no funds being spent by the agency. 

Minister Ntsima said the ministry was constrained by provisions of the Data Protection Act to openly share information relating to amounts paid to the suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the caretaker CEO. 

He said the suspended CEO had not faced any charges as they all awaited the outcome of the national forensic audit and the CEDA board was not consulted before the CEO was suspended. 

Maun North MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando had asked the minister to provide an update on the forensic audit on CEDA and indicate the company, which was appointed for the audit and how the company was selected. Mr Saleshando also requested the minister to confirm if at any point he had written to CEDA demanding that the organisation should pay for the audit and the amount that was proposed and how it was determined. 

He also wanted to know the amount, which was paid to the CEO and the caretaker CEO from the time that the suspension effected, if the suspended CEO was ever made to face any charges and if not, why. 

In addition, the MP also asked the minister to state whether the CEDA board was consulted before the CEO was suspended. ENDS