DAILY YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT THE FIRSTTHE SECOND MEETING MEETING OF THE OF THE FIFTH FIRST SESSION SESSION OF THEOF ELEVENTH THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAYTHURSDAYTUESDAY 13 06 07 NOVEMBER FEBRUARY NOVEMBER 20202018 2018 ENGLISH VERSION HANSARDHANSARD NO. 192196 DISCLAIMER Unofficial Hansard This transcript of Parliamentary proceedings is an unofficial version of the Hansard and may contain inaccuracies. It is hereby published for general purposes only. The final edited version of the Hansard will be published when available and can be obtained from the Assistant Clerk (Editorial). THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER The Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani PH, MP. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP. (Mochudi East) Clerk of the National Assembly - Ms B. N. Dithapo Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly - Mr L. T. Gaolaolwe Learned Parliamentary Counsel - Ms M. Mokgosi Assistant Clerk (E) - Mr R. Josiah CABINET His Excellency Dr M. E. K. Masisi, MP. - President His Honour S. Tsogwane, MP. (Boteti West) - Vice President Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Hon. K. N. S. Morwaeng, MP. (Molepolole South) - Administration Hon. K. T. Mmusi, MP. (Gabane-Mmankgodi) - Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Hon. Dr U. Dow, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Hon. E. M. Molale, MP. (Goodhope-Mabule ) - Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Dr E. G. Dikoloti MP. (Mmathethe-Molapowabojang) - Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation Hon. P. K. Kereng, MP. (Specially Elected) - and Tourism Hon. Dr L. Kwape, MP. (Kanye South) - Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. T.M. Segokgo, MP. (Tlokweng) - Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. K. Mzwinila, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. T. M. Rakgare, MP. (Mogoditshane) - Development Hon. A. M. Mokgethi, MP. (Gaborone Bonnington North) - Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Hon. Dr T. Matsheka, MP. (Lobatse) - Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. F. M. M. Molao, MP. (Shashe West) - Minister of Basic Education Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Hon. Dr. D. Letsholathebe, MP. (Tati East) - Technology Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Hon. L. M. Moagi, MP. (Ramotswa) - Energy Security Hon. P. O. Serame, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Hon. M. Balopi, MP. (Gaborone North) - Development Hon. M. Kgafela, MP. (Mochudi West) - Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development Assistant Minister, Presidential Affairs, Governance and Hon. D. M. Mthimkhulu, MP. (Gaborone South) - Public Administration Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. K. K. Autlwetse, MP. (Specially Elected) - Development Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. S. N. Modukanele, MP. (Lerala -Maunatlala) - Development Assistant Minister, Agricultural Development and Food Hon. B. Manake, MP. (Specially Elected) - Security Hon. S. Lelatisitswe, MP. (Boteti East) - Assistant Minister, Health and Wellness Hon. N. W. T. Makwinja, MP. (Lentsweletau-Mmopane) - Assistant Minister, Basic Education Hon. K. S. Gare, MP. (Moshupa-Manyana) - Assistant Minister, Investment, Trade and Industry Assistant Minister, Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. H. B. Billy, MP. (Francistown East) - Development Hon. M. R. Shamukuni, MP. (Chobe) - Assistant Minister,Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND THEIR CONSTITUENCIES Names Constituency RULING PARTY (Botswana Democratic Party) Hon. L. Kablay, MP. (Government Whip) Letlhakeng-Lephephe Hon. M. R. Reatile, MP. Jwaneng-Mabutsane Hon. P. Majaga, MP. Nata-Gweta Hon. M. I. Moswaane, MP. Francistown West Hon. J. S. Brooks, MP. Kgalagadi South Hon. C. Greeff, MP. Gaborone Bonnington South Hon. T. Letsholo, MP. Kanye North Hon. T. F. Leuwe, MP. Takatokwane Hon. T. Mangwegape-Healy, MP. Gaborone Central Hon. S. N. Moabi, MP. Tati West Hon. M. S. Molebatsi, MP. Mmadinare Hon. T. Monnakgotla, MP. Kgalagadi North Hon. P. K. Motaosane, MP. Thamaga-Kumakwane Hon. O. Regoeng, MP. Molepolole North Hon. J. L. Thiite, MP. Ghanzi North OPPOSITION (Umbrella for Democratic Change) Hon. D. Saleshando, MP. (Leader of Opposition) Maun West Hon. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. (Opposition Whip) Tonota Hon. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. Selebi Phikwe West Hon. Y. Boko, MP Mahalapye East Hon. Dr K. Gobotswang, MP. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Hon. K. C. Hikuama, MP. Ngami Hon. K. K. Kapinga, MP Okavango Hon. G. Kekgonegile, MP. Maun East Hon. A. Lesaso, MP. Shoshong Hon. T. B. Lucas, MP. Bobonong Hon. M. G. J. Motsamai, MP. Ghanzi South Hon. K. Nkawana, MP. Selebi Phikwe East Hon. O. Ramogapi, MP. Palapye Hon. Dr N. Tshabang, MP. Nkange Hon. D. Tshere, MP. Mahalapye West (Botswana Patriotic Front) Hon. T. S. Khama, MP. Serowe West Hon. L. Lesedi, MP. Serowe South Hon. B. Mathoothe, MP. Serowe North (Alliance for Progressives) Hon. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. Francistown South TABLE OF CONTENTS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY, 2020 CONTENTS PAGE (S) QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER..............................................................................................................1-8 Apropriation 2020/2021 (Bill), 2020 (No.2 of 2020) Second Reading (Resumed Debate)....................................................................................................9-34 Thursday 6th February, 2020 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER Thursday 6th February, 2020 the administrative process I have just outlined. Clearly, some major changes/corrections in the process have to THE ASSEMBLY met at 2:00 p.m. take place. (THE SPEAKER in the Chair) Mr Speaker, to improve on service delivery regarding P R A Y E R S payments of students’ allowances, the ministry is presently in commercial consultations with Botswana * * * * Post (the entity to contract to disburse the allowances) regarding the best possible payment method that can QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER reduce the turn-around time drastically. LATE PAYMENT OF STUDENTS ALLOWANCES Poso-Money and the associated enabling technological AT NATA-GWETA BRIGADE interventions is a consideration in this respect. This is MR P. MAJAGA (NATA-GWETA): asked the work in progress but we are pursuing a mobile-funds Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and wallet which learners can access at their convenience Skills Development if he is aware that Nata/Gweta and without being restricted to a specific time-window Brigade students do not get their allowances on time and of making withdrawals, as is the case presently. therefore are unable to pay their rentals. The proposed solution is intended to have management MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR control benefits such as the ministry being able to PRODUCTIVITY AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT reconcile and check balances on line. (MR BALOPI): Good afternoon and thank you Mr Mr Speaker, that is where we are headed. It is my Speaker. expectation that our contracted services provider will Mr Speaker, I am aware that learners in all brigade help deliver the required technology-driven solutions institutions and technical colleges and not just Nata/ sooner rather than later. I thank you Mr Speaker. Gweta Brigade, have not received their January 2020 MR MOSWAANE: Supplementary. I want to ask the allowances. The delay is a consequence of the students’ Minister a question looking at his response. Are we really registration and payment control process, which presently takes up to 25 working days before learners up to date because issues of technology have always can be paid. This happens at the beginning of each been there, we even experienced them at Ipelegeng five semester. years ago? Are we up to date enough to respond to the concerns of the students? An example is that, sending a According to Section 8.6 of the Learners Rules and student to a brigade is more like sentencing someone to Regulations Manual, students are given and have challenges. Minister, are we moving with times? How accepted a period of 10 working days to either register long is it going to take for us to look at this problem and/or attend classes before disbursements of allowances and see it as a problem of the past? How long is it can be made. The rationale of this is to let institutions going to take to eliminate this problem because many observe the enrolment list (monitor late arrivals and of the students are back at home because they have quit drop-outs) before a cut-off for payment is determined. completely? Upon the lapse of the 10-day grace period, another MR BALOPI: Thank you Mr Speaker. I do not know administrative process which can take up to 15 days between the institutions and ministry’s headquarters sets what Honourable Moswaane means when he asks about in. This process is what results in payments being made whether we are up to date because it is a bit complex. long after the day of opening. In this sense, although the This morning we met with Poso House personnel to try current semester started on the 7th January 2020, it is true and resolve this problem. Our aim is to try and speed that allowances still remain unpaid. up the processes in order for the students to receive their allowances on time. Honourable Moswaane, the Honourable Members, I must inform you that I important thing that you