Khama ignores Parly orders
Innocent Selatlhwa | Thursday October 20, 2016 18:00
The move was interpreted by the Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises as disruptive to its proceedings, which have unearthed shocking information about the improper running of some parastatals.
It was revealed before the committee that Dithebe, who is currently serving notice until November, had his contract cut short. Dithebe is expected to vacate office on Friday following a letter from the acting board chairman, Lawrence Khupe. Quizzed on why the decision was taken, as the board did not even form a quoram, tourism ministry’s permanent secretary, Elias Magosi said he only learnt early this week of the decision.
“I would not know why the chairman did that as I was away. I learnt there was a meeting between the Minister and my deputies, which resolved to cut short the CEO’s stay, but I am not privy to the reasons,” he said.
Committee chairman, Samson Moyo Guma said it was unlawful that a dysfunctional board could make such a decision and called on Magosi to advise the Minister that it is wrong.
“Why did he do this? This might as well make our job difficult when we want to call him as he can choose to relocate from Botswana when he is no longer a BTO employee, but we still have a long way in engaging you on these issues,” he said.
Magosi said he was told that Dithebe did not challenge the decision.
“I was never consulted. I was only called and told that I would be given my letter of termination while I thought I was having a cordial relationship with the Minister and Khupe after my last appearance here,” Dithebe, who appeared jointly with Magosi, told the committee.
Dithebe said the five days he was given to wind up was too short considering the magnitude of work required.
Khama, who did not show up at the hearing will now be subpoenaed to appear before the committee. He was said to be in Morocco attending the Conference of Parties (COP17).
“He knows very well that whenever Parliament calls you, you drop whatever you are doing and give it priority.
He now leaves us with no option but to subpoena him, nobody is above the law, him included,” he said.