Possible abuse of state resourses

Mmegi Editor | Friday September 26, 2014 14:37

At the time we condemned the idea as we strongly felt that it gives sitting MPs an unfair advantage over those who wish to challenge them during elections. We still hold that view today.

The sudden cooperation between opposition and ruling party MPs over this matter could be a true reflection of what politicians are made of – self serving. We have many examples of how the ruling party has in the past opposed motions that could have benefitted the nation had they been allowed to pass.

One that comes to mind immediately is the motion by Wynter Mmolotsi requesting government to establish a commission of enquiry into the 2010 national examinations, which were marred in irregularities. Although they admitted that the examination was conducted in a bad atmosphere, ruling party MPs refused to support Mmolotsi and therefore denying the nation an opportunity to correct past wrongs.

This week, a leaked paper from a cabinet meeting shows that President Ian Khama has authorised payment of housing allowance to members of the 10th parliament, who by now should have vacated their offices, and official residence. The total amount for this unlawful payment exceeds P1million in the two months since the national assembly was dissolved at the end of August.

This is the money that should be released and accounted for in conformity with our laws and regulations. What surprises us is that opposition MPs also accepted this ‘offer’ without blowing the whistle, at a time when they are getting their gratuities and severance benefits from the government.

The question that comes to mind is whether there is a difference from the MPs accepting the ‘gift’ from Khama, and on the one hand, that which was given to retired vice president Lieutenant General Mompati Merafhe.

The latter ‘gift’ has attracted the curious eyes of some opposition MPs, with the Botswana Congress Party having threatened to approach the High Court to sue Khama to order him reverse the ‘gift’.

Our gripe with the government subsidising housing for former MPs is that this has potential to set a bad precedent. In future, we are going to have leaders who are going to break the law citing this very exercise as a precedent.

 

Today’s thought

“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”

   –  John Steinbeck