Gov’t increases Khama, Mogae budget
Spira Tlhankane | Monday February 12, 2024 06:00
While former president Festus Moage’s budget will increase as well, Khama’s budget has been a talking point in the past because of the rivalry with his successor. Khama’s budget will see an increase of P837, 580. In the 2023-24 financial year, Khama’s office authorised expenditure was P3.7 million but the budget estimates shows that Khama’s office will now get P4.5 million Even though former president Khama has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since 2021, government last year indicated that the latter’s office in Botswana is still operating at full capacity. It is also worth noting that since relocating to South Africa, Khama has been utilising his travel expenditure.
Therefore among the increases in his budget this time around is his travelling and transport funds. Khama’s authorised expenditure for internal travel transportation costs in the current financial was P15, 000 but the amount is set to increase to P40, 000 in the 2024-25 year. Subsistence costs (internal travel) have also been slightly increased from P15, 000 to P20, 000. Transportation costs (external travel) have also slightly increased from P395, 000 to P400, 000. Among other things which have ballooned Khama’s budget is uniforms and protective clothing which has since risen from the authorised P20, 250 in the current financial year to P41, 250 in the upcoming financial year.
State President Minister, Kabo Morwaeng told Parliament early December last year that as of the end of November 2023, Khama’s office expenditure stood at approximately P1.9 million. “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,” Morwaeng revealed then.
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. Even though Khama is in exile, Morwaeng said the former’s office staff is there to help Khama when he needs help with his benefits as the former president. Meanwhile, Mogae will also see his budget increased with P890, 180 slightly more than Khama. In contrast to overall budgets, Khama has a larger budget compared to his predecessor.
Mogae’s authorised expenditure in the current financial year is P2.5 million but in the upcoming financial year Mogae’s office will have a budget of P3.4 million. While Mogae’s travel budget has not increased compared to Khama, it is worth noting that he has increased his service charges budget with about P600, 000. Mogae’s authorised expenditure for service charges for the current financial year is P400, 000 but the budget has now been increased to P1, 008, 000.