Khama extends Merafhe benefits to PHK
Sharon Mathala | Friday April 17, 2015 16:35
This was confirmed by the government spokesperson, Jeff Ramsay, telling Mmegi that Kedikilwe is entitled to various benefits as provided for by the Executive Conditions of Service, commonly known as the Green Book. “Former vice presidents are entitled to various benefits as provided for in the Green Book,” he said.
Mmegi has leant that Kedikilwe has been extended benefits that have been kept secret. It emerged that Kedikilwe, who retired from active politics last year, was receiving allowances that have proven difficult for Khama’s administration to explain.
“He has an official car that he is being driven around with, he also receives allowances that he and his family enjoy. Government concocted a package for Kedikilwe, it is unclear on what capacity this decision was made,” said the source.
BCP secretary general Kesitegile Gobotswang said that they are investigating the matter and would act accordingly if it were confirmed that Kedikilwe and Khama are abusing the provisions of the Green Book. He told Mmegi that they have been informed that Kedikilwe is driven around by plain clothed officers who are residing with him in Sefophe.
“This has not yet been confirmed by our investigators, though we are looking into the matter. We also want to find out what other benefits the former vice president is enjoying, and for how long will he continue to benefit,” said Gobotswang.
In the previous Parliament when the opposition objected to Merafhe’s ‘unconstitutional’ privileges, the former Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri revealed that the Green Book gives the President discretion to award particular benefits and privileges to a retired vice presidents, the speakers, deputy speakers, ministers, assistant ministers, or the leader of opposition.
He told Parliament that the Green Book empowered the President to give those benefits and privileges on compassionate grounds or based on any other criteria as determined by him. It is still unclear as to what criteria he uses to determine how much in monetary form the beneficiaries get.
Then, the BCP had instituted a legal suit against Khama declaring the Green Book unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional and a nullity and of no force and effect. They argued that the Green Book is contrary to the National Assembly (Gratuities and Pensions Act) and the National Assembly (Salaries and Allowances) Act. In a previous interview last year one of the BCP lawyers Martin Dingake explained that essentially the Green Book seeks to vary Acts of Parliament when itself is not a legal document nor based on any law.