Declaration of assets stirs Parly again

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday March 26, 2015 17:44

 

Responding to a question on slow criminal justice processes on Tuesday, Kgathi had said there was no need for a specific law as senior public officials were already declaring their assets to their constitutional principals.

“Regarding the declaration of assets the position is that cabinet members declare to His Excellency, Members of Parliament to the Speaker of the National Assembly and judges to the chief justices, which I find adequate,” Kgathi said.

However, Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi pounced on the minister’s response and challenged him to prove that legislators were indeed declaring their assets to the Speaker.

“There is no truth in what Kgathi is saying regarding the MPs declaration of assets.

“We need evidence that indeed MPs are declaring their assets and a copy of the said form. How come MPs are not aware of that form?

“Parliament cannot be misled about by the cabinet minister,” Mmolotsi said. National Assembly deputy speaker, Kagiso Molatlhegi intervened and said the issue would have to be deferred to another day, because of time constraints.

Meanwhile, Kgathi said there had been considerable progress in developing whistleblowing legislation for public corruption.

He was answering Gabane-Mmankgodi MP, Pius Mokgware, who had asked if the minister was aware that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime had clearly stated concerns that “the slow criminal justice process in Botswana seriously hampers the fight against corruption and economic crime”.

“The whistleblowing draft has been completed and will be taken through the necessary consultation process in government with a view to finally bringing it to Parliament,” he said.