At the last Winter Session of Parliament, Minister of State President, Kabo Morwaeng is expected to table an amendment bill that could strip former presidents of their pension and retirement benefits should they find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
“The object of the bill is to amend Section 6 of the [Presidents (Pension and Retirement Benefits)] Act such that the pension and other benefits conferred by this Act cease where the person who has held the Office of the President is sentenced to death or to serve a term of imprisonment and the sentence of imprisonment has not been wholly suspended,” read the bill.
For many Amendment Bill No.12 of 2024, may be perceived as an attack against former president Ian Khama who is in self-imposed exile and has been back and forth with the law.
The bill set to be presented by Morwaeng further states that children of presidents should benefit from presidents’ pensions and retirement benefits.
“The object of the bill is to amend Section 2 of the Presidents (Pensions and Retirements Benefits) by inserting the definition of dependent child in the section,” reads the bill.
The bill further suggests that spouses of former presidents should also benefit from the president’s pensions and retirement benefits post-presidency.
It further alludes that even if the former president passes on their children and partners should continue receiving the welfare from the retirement benefits.
“Amend Section 3 of the Act to specify the benefits of the spouse of a person who has held the Office of the President. Section 4 of the Act such that a dependent child of a person who has held the Office of the President is able to benefit in their own right, and not just when the surviving spouse dies,” read the bill.
Finally, the bill suggests that upon retirement the person who has held the Office of the President should be given a personalised car and be allowed amongst others authority to determine the number of securities.
