OP this week in Parliament - Q & A

source: Republic of Botswana (6/12/08): TAUTONA TIMES no 40 of 2008
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President "Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"

D. OP THIS WEEK IN PARLIAMENT - Q & A

Responses to Questions in Parliament by the Hon. Ministers for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration and Defence, Justice and Security

I. Questions answered in Parliament by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Daniel Kwelagobe:

QUESTION NO 214 asked by Mr. D. Saleshando, MP (Gaborone Central)

To ask the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration:-

- to state whether or not the Vision Council has adopted any tool to monitor progress in attaining the pillars of Vision 2016; and
- to further state what progress has been made for each pillar and areas where the nation is lagging behind.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, the Vision Council has a Monitoring and Evaluation System (M&E) tool in place to specifically monitor the implementation of Vision 2016 goals. The system carries indicators for all the Vision goals for purposes of reporting progress. I wish to report progress on selected key result areas which have data available as follows:

An Educated, Informed Nation - The indicators used include enrolment or access to education for all in schools, literacy rate, international competitive ranking and access to media.

Enrolment Rate - The enrolment rate is 87.2% against the Vision target of 100%. Although there is an increase in primary school intake, there is a disturbing trend of students dropping out of both primary and secondary schools due to desertion that accounts for 85% and 2.6% being pregnancy.

Literacy Rate - Literacy rate stood 81% as per household survey of 2003.

Quality of Education - The quality of education as measured through Trends in international maths and science showed Botswana scoring below the international average in both maths and science in 2003.

Access to media - A knowledge society is created when people access radio, telecommunication systems and computers for various types of information. In 2006, access to radio was 69.9, %, TV39.0%, internet, 4.29%, population with mobile, 46%, population with fixed lines, 8% and homes with computers stood at 6.1%.

Prosperous, Productive and Innovative Nation - The indicators used are the following: employment rate, doing business index, global competitive index, and global prosperity index.

Employment rate - The unemployment rate currently stands at 17.5%.

Global Competitiveness Index - This measures the level of productivity and competitiveness in any country by assessing, inter alia, quality of public sector institutions, macro economy and health and primary education. Botswana has significantly improved in world rankings, from position 76 in 2007 to 56 in 2008. Customer satisfaction in the public service stood at 25% in 2006 compared to international benchmark of 75%.

Doing Business -Countries are ranked taking into account a set of regulations that affect 10 stages of a business life: starting a business, employing workers, dealing with construction permits, registering property, getting credit etc. In the latest ranking, Botswana was ranked 52 out of 181 economies worldwide and 3rd in Southern Africa.

Global prosperity index - Prosperity here is defined in terms of material wealth and life satisfaction which is measured in terms of how nations promote both economic growth and quality of life among citizens. Out of 104 countries worldwide Botswana is ranked 45, and position 2 in Africa.

Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation - The key result areas under this pillar include having no infection of HIV /AIDS by 2016 and eradication of poverty.

Reduction of HIV/AIDS infection - The current infection rate is 17.1% and the Vision target is zero infections in 2016.

Eradication of Poverty - The poverty datum line currently stands at 30.3%.

Open, Democratic and Accountable Nation - Some of the key result areas under this pillar include reduction of corruption and having a good governance and transparent system.

Transparency International Corruption Perception Index - According to Transparency International Report (2008) Botswana is ranked 36 out of 180 countries with a score of 5.8 out of a total of 10 points.

Safe and Secure Nation

Level of Crime - Increase of crime undermines the attainment of this pillar. For instance, stock theft, motor vehicle increased by 16% and 27 % respectively between 2006 and 2007.

Having said that, Mr Speaker, it has been problematic to report progress on the pillars of a United and Proud Nation and Moral and Tolerant Nation for the simple reason that it is not easy to subject these pillars to quantifiable measurement. However, the Council is currently undertaking a consultancy to produce a holistic 'Botswana's Performance' report on Vision 2016 with a view to now focusing on reporting on both quantitative and qualitative indicators. The report will inform the nation on "Where are we" in terms of each of the seven Vision goals.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to attach a report detailing progress on some pillars of the Vision so that members would be able to read it at their own leisure time. The Council presents a progress report to the High Level Consultative Council conference twice in a year. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

D2) 5/12/08: QUESTION NO: 222 asked by Honourable, K.T. MAOTO MP (FRANCISTOWN SOUTH)

To ask the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration whether, in view of the serious shortage of Government vehicles, he does not consider reinstating mileage claims for use of private vehicles on official duty.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, Government has not abolished the policy that allows officers to use their private vehicles on official duty, and claiming mileage thereof. Officers who need to use their private vehicles for official duty have to get authorization from their Accounting Officers. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

II. Questions Answered by the Minister for Defence Justice and Security, the Hon. Dikgakgamatso Seretse:

D3) 1/12/08: QUESTION NO. 189 asked by Ms B.M. Tshireletso, MP. (Mahalapye East)

To ask the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security:-

I. What became of the members of the former Security Intelligence Service (previously known as Special Branch) established under the Botswana Police Service following the creation of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) in accordance with the Intelligence and Security Services Act No. 16 of 2007; II. Whether they have been absorbed or assimilated elsewhere in the Botswana Police Service; III. If so, how many of them were promoted in the first and second round of promotions for the Botswana Police Service this year; and
IV. If not what is their fate and future career prospects.

ANSWER:

Mr. Speaker, the majority of members of the former Security Intelligence Service (previously known as the Special Branch) in the Botswana Police Service, were recruited into the Directorate of Intelligence and Security when it became operational on the 1st of April 2008. Those that were not recruited remained in the Botswana Police and have since been redeployed to the new Crime Intelligence Branch of the Botswana Police Service.

Mr Speaker, at the time the Promotions Board of the Botswana Police sat to consider candidates for promotion for the year 2008, the operationalisation of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security was not complete and due to uncertainty over the number of officers in the then Security Intelligence Service that would remain in the Botswana Police, consideration of promotions for the remaining Security Intelligence Service Officers was deferred to a later date. The Promotions Board has never sat again since then. It is scheduled to sit on the 8th December, 2008 to consider, solely, candidates for promotion from the Crime Intelligence Branch. The future career prospects for those former members of the Security Intelligence Service who remained in the Botswana Police Service is governed by the Botswana Police Act Cap 21:01 which prescribes conditions of service and promotions of members of the Botswana Police Service.

D4) 5/12/08 Question No. 226 asked on by Mr. N.M. Modubule, MP. (Lobatse)

To ask the Minister for Defence, Justice, and Security whether the Lobatse Magistrate Court caters for the disabled persons access into the court rooms.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, the Lobatse Magistrate Court is currently housed in rented accommodation that does not have access facilities for use by some disabled persons. This problem has been brought to the attention of the landlord who has consistently promised to address the situation but to no avail. Magistrates have however allowed persons with disability to use the rear doors into the Courthouse whenever they are informed in advance of the need for such assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the Honourable Members that a new Magistrate Court is under construction in Lobatse and that it will cater for persons with disabilities. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.