Parly Q & A�s

| Tuesday August 4, 2015 14:14

Ouestion:  Joseph Molefe (Mahalapye West)

Asked the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration if he is aware that veterinary surgeons are categorised in the same group as engineers according to the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM); if so, what was the motivation for classifying them in the same group as engineers; and why are they not categorised under health sciences like medical doctors.

Response: I am not aware of any official documentation produced by the Directorate of Public Service Management, which classifies Veterinary Surgeons in the same group as Engineers. The two have always been treated as different disciplines with separate career paths. Veterinary Surgeons fall within the discipline of veterinary sciences. As a result, they cannot be categorised under health sciences like medical doctors. They are instead veterinary scientists.

 

Question: Joseph Molefe (Mahalapye West)

Asked the Minister of Defence and Security if he is aware that the crime rate is too high in Mahalapye and if so, what policing strategy is being planned to contain and reduce the crime rate in Mahalapye? And when will the wards cluster crime prevention groups be provided with a gazzetted Police Officer during patrols, and to state if there are any plans to set up a police post at Xhosa, Madiba and Tewane wards to curb the escalating crime.

Response: I am aware that the crime rate in Mahalapye is high as noted by the Honourable Member. However the crime rate has been declining between the year 2010 and 2014 where we recorded 5,676 cases in 2010, five thousand four hundred and eighty (5,480) in 2011, four thousand seven hundred and ninety eight (4,798) in 2012, four thousand eight hundred and thirty seven (4,837) in 2013 and four thousand one hundred and sixty eight (4,168) in 2014.   In its efforts at reducing crime levels in Mahalapye, the Botswana Police Service, in partnership with the community, has initiated strategies such as public education, stop question and search, targeted patrols and operations, and the creation of response teams. It is my hope that with the cooperation of the community of Mahalapye the crime level will continue to go down. 

The established policy is that cluster members including in Mahalapye, should always be accompanied by regular police officers. However this does not always happen due to exigencies of police work and the general manpower shortage.  There are no plans to set up police posts at Xhosa and Madiba wards due to resources limitations. As for Tewane ward, there are four special constables and eight volunteers operating from the Kgotla. Plans are still ongoing to establish Tewane as a police post in the future.

 

Question: Dr Tlamelo Mmatli

(Molepolole South)

Asked Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, whether it is still government policy that posts at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions can only be filled by foreigners if there are no citizens with the requisite skills to fill such posts; if so,  to explain the recent appointment of a Zimbabwean National at the level of 01 (Principal Prosecutions Counsel), whether there were no citizens qualified to occupy this post, and whether the post was advertised to ensure that qualified citizens have the opportunity to apply.

Response: The post of Principal Prosecutions Counsel (D1) was advertised in the local newspaper in February 2014, and six applicants within the DPP and two candidates from outside responded to the advertisement. Despite the fact that none of them met the requirements of the post as stated in the advertisement, the Appointing Authority considered a shortlist of applications on 24th April 2014. The Appointing and Promotions Board which considered the shortlisting did not identify any applicant as being suitable for appointment to the post. Following this, the Appointing Authority opted to use database of unsolicited applications held by the organisation. It was through this option that the Zimbabwean national was identified as being the best fit for the post. The officer under reference was subjected to an interview by the Appointing and Promotions Board I on the 10th December 2014. The Board agreed that he was appointable on the basis of his interview score and his personal presentation during the interview as well as his experience as a judicial officer both in Zimbabwe and Botswana. The latter attribute is critical for performing the difficult and complex task of prosecuting, especially at the level of Principal Prosecutions Counsel.

 

Question: Dithapelo Keorapetse (Selebi Phikwe West)

Asked the Minister of Trade and Industry to state progress made by the Selebi Phikwe Economic Development Unit (SPEDU); and projects initiated and/or spearheaded by SPEDU.

Response: SPEDU has been transformed into a company, Limited by Guarantee, with a Board of Directors. This was meant to help expedite the decision making process and improve operational efficiency.   I wish to provide an update on SPEDU initiated/facilitated projects;   The Motloutse Farm Electrification Project will provide access to more affordable power to horticulture farms along the bank of Motloutse river. Forty-four horticulture farms have been identified for electrification along the Motloutse River.

At total of 800 hectares will be available for horticulture production following full provision of power. Botswana Power Corporation has completed the designs of the project and has engaged two companies to erect the power line. A total of P9,934,120.85 was paid in March 2015 for power connection along the 44-kilometre stretch. It is estimated that the power connection for the 800 hectares of land will create up to 2,500 direct jobs once the envisaged clusters are in full operation.

 

Horticulture Packaging

and Processing Plant 

The entry-level plant will assist producers to reduce post-harvest losses through value addition entailing packaging and processing of vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, beetroots and butternuts. Plans to set up the Processing Plant in Selebi Phikwe are advanced. Partitioning of the building that will house the plant and electricity connection to the site are complete. The installation of equipment is planned to be completed by end of September 2015, while a plant test run is scheduled for end of October 2015. Farmers are being encouraged to intensify production so that vegetables are available when the plant is ready. The total cost of this project is Pl0.9 million with projected employment of 30.

 

Platjan Bridge Construction

A bridge will be constructed across Motloutse River into South Africa at the Botswana/South Africa border-post of Plat jan, thereby improving “ access into SPEDU region and other areas.

A total amount of P100 million has been approved for the project which is expected to be completed in 18 months from September 2015. Tender award is expected by end of August 2015, while construction of the bridge is anticipated to commence in September 2015.