Khama’s office operates at full capacity – Gov’t
Mompati Tlhankane | Wednesday December 6, 2023 09:23
State President minister, Kabo Morwaeng told Parliament on Friday that Khama’s Office is still operational and is operating at full capacity as defined in the detailed entitlements of Former Presidents as provided in the President (Pensions and Retirement Benefits) Act (Cap. 02:03). He said the full staff complement consists of 14 officers starting with a Private Secretary at D1 salary scale which also includes technical and support staff ranging from D1 to A3. Morwaeng added that the total monthly salary is P149,803 per month.
He indicated that the costs of running the office for the 2023–2024 financial year, a total of P3,894,960 have been budgeted inclusive of staff salaries, utilities, and other expenses. As of the end of November 2023, expenditure stood at approximately P1,970,848. “Former president Khama enjoys the full retirement benefits as provided for in the law as follows: Medical expenses both locally and where treatment is outside Botswana; Tax-free pension equivalent to the monthly salary of the office held or 80% of the incumbent President's salary; staff, including security, private secretary, and other office staff; three vehicles; OV office, and office equipment; A fully furnished residential house in Gaborone with maids and gardeners; first-class travel outside Botswana up to a maximum of four trips per annum; Access to use of any government-owned mode of transport on a case by case basis locally,” he revealed.
Morwaeng said Khama’s other benefits include entertainment allowance, telephone allowance in the office and residence, as well as, water and electricity allowance at the office and official residence. He was responding to a question from Gaborone Central, Tumisang Healy, who had asked the minister if the office of the former president is still operational and operating at full staff capacity as stated in the Green Book. Asked what the staff is doing when Khama is in exile Morwaeng said the staff is there to help Khama when he needs help with his benefits as the former president.