27 Feb 2014

Parliament has been informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has had no cause to investigate or take action against any of its staff at missions abroad during the life span of the 10th Parliament.

Answering a question from the Member of Parliament for Shoshong, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani said his ministry’s diplomatic missions just like the rest of the public service were required to have anti-corruption committees in place.

“The purpose of these committees is to guard against any corrupt actions or practices, as well as put systems in place to prevent corruption. These committees have been established and are active in all our missions,” he said.

The minister indicated that missions also maintained gift registers and all gifts received from business contacts were declared to the ambassador by diplomats below him/her at the mission, and to the Permanent Secretary by the head of mission.

Mr Skelemani told the house that missions were also audited by the DCEC, the Internal Auditor and the Auditor General on a regular basis with a view to strengthen internal controls.

“Diplomats by their nature are expected to be people of high integrity who enjoy the trust of their sending states and are required to respect and abide by the laws of their host countries,” said the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. He said as per diplomatic practice, diplomats are prohibited from engaging in any form of business in countries where they serve.

MP Makgalemele had asked the minister to state systems in place to guard against possible corrupt practices by High Commissioners or Ambassadors and their staff when doing business in their countries of accreditation.

He also asked whether during the life span of the 10th Parliament, the minister has ever investigated instances presented above; if so, what action was taken against these offices.  ENDS