Minister gets ultimatum on declaration of assets

Members of Parliament issued an ultimatum on Friday to the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Lesego Motsumi to table a Bill on Declaration of Assets and Liabilities by national leaders before end of the year or they will back efforts by Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando to drive the matter forward.

They said that if she fails to table the bill, which has been pending for 12 years, they would have no option but to support the one mooted by Saleshando. The deadline comes after Motsumi revealed that she intends to bring a bill on declaration of assets following the tabling of a motion by Saleshando two weeks ago. The Gaborone Central MP failed to get permission from Parliament to draft and table a private members bill on the issue.

On Friday, maverick Francistown East MP, Wynter Mmolotsi told the House that he was ready to declare his assets and liabilities saying it would save him from members of the public who believe that MPs are overpaid. "Even if you were to give me a piece of paper right now, I would write down my list of belongings and liabilities and continue with the debate.  It won't even take five minutes of my time," he stated.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

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