Cabinet Ministers Must Be Picked From Parliament
Monday, August 06, 2007
Sebetela's contention was that a combination of the two roles could result in failure to execute both duties effectively. The minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration responded that there were no plans to provide for such a dispensation. Minister Kwelagobe also pointed out that our system was practised by other democracies with much larger Parliaments.
The matter in question has been a subject of political discourse in our polity. Certainly there is a school of thought that wants the current system changed to enable the president to look outside Parliament for people to sit in his cabinet. In the Mmegi editorial, a very persuasive argument is ventured for the shortcomings inherent in the status quo. Most notably, Mmegi opines that besides the heavy workload on ministers, the current practice blurs dividing line between the executive and the legislature.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...