Gov't struggling to pay DVS officers P43m debt
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday April 15, 2026 10:15
The Minister of Human Settlements and Water, Onneetse Ramogapi, told Parliament that the debt is one of those inherited from the previous administration, in which the government owes public servants money for various allowances.
Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Ramogapi, who was standing in for the Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, said that whilst debts were inherited from the previous administration, the ministry is committed to honouring its debt obligations; however, liquidity challenges have become a stumbling block.
'I would like to assure this honourable house and Batswana that honouring our debt obligations remains a key value for my ministry, as much as it is for the rest of the government. I am aware of the debt owed to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) staff at Veterinary camps spread throughout the country,' he said.
'The debt is related to subsistence allowance, indecent housing allowance, overtime allowance, temporary assistance and amounts to at least P43 million. This debt will be settled. However, severe liquidity constraints arising from uncertain cash flows preclude setting a specific payment schedule or timeline.'
However, Ramogapi said the debt is being paid as funds become available.
'To date, we have paid P635,000 as subsistence allowance and P15,000,000 as overtime,' he added.
Ramogapi was responding to a question asked by Member of Parliament for Okavango West, Kenny Kapinga, who asked the Minister of Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that there is a huge debt owed to low-ranking public servants left over from the previous administration, especially for employees at DVS based at Disease Control Camps spread throughout the country.
Kapinga asked if so, would he assuage the feelings of such Public Servants by letting them know how the government is planning to discharge its debt obligations to its employees.
'We have not denied that the government owes these people. We have engaged them. Those who went to court are also being paid. But it is not easy because we have liquidity challenges, but all the money owed to these people will be paid in due course,' Ramogapi explained.