PRESS STATEMENT ON INCREASED REMUNERATION PACKAGE FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

SERVICE TO THE NATION?

DITSHWANELO –The Botswana Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the rapidly passed Bills 17 and 18 of 2004 which were published on 9 August 2004. These were the Ministers and National Assembly Gratuities and Pensions (Amendment) Bill and the National Assembly (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill respectively. This urgency, is in stark contrast with the treatment of the Declaration of Assets Bills which is yet to be discussed, passed and implemented.

It is common practice that a Bill should lie, or not be passed, for one month, after publication. However, of concern is that during the week before the dissolution of the Parliament, these particular Bills were published, on 9 August 2004, and passed within five (5) days. These Bills when passed created substantial increases in the remuneration packages in addition to the allowances our 46 Members of Parliament are eligible, at a serious cost to the Government and people of Botswana. The timing of the salary increases backdated to 1 April 2004, together with the calculation of the gratuity payments, which include the constituency allowance, raise questions about the haste with which the Bills were passed. For some Members of Parliament, this marked the end of their Parliamentary career, making the timing and haste of the passing of the Bills particularly disturbing. Few of the Members of Parliament appeared to have been concerned about contributing to the country’s budgetary challenges.

The gratuity to which every member is entitled comprises:

Allowances to which various Members of Parliament are eligible include hospitality, subsistence, housing, transport, garden, water, responsibility and sitting.

As we approach our 2004 elections, the date of which has still not yet been officially announced, DITSHWANELO wishes to remind aspiring Members of Parliament that they have offered themselves to be representatives of the people. They should be accountable to those who elect them into office and should lead by setting good examples of leadership. These elements include the ability to identify and act constructively upon issues which are of importance in the lives of people, as opposed to the politicians themselves. There should be transparency by the leaders concerning their ‘modus operandi’ or the way in which they ‘do their business’.

DITSHWANELO again encourages the electorate to ensure that those whom they elect are accountable to them. You have a right to demand it and the politicians have a duty to be accountable to you. As we strive towards the realisation of the achievement of the goals and aspirations of Vision 2016, let us develop a culture of transparency and accountability for the benefit of future generations.

31 August 2004
Gaborone