19 Feb 2025

 International trips by President Advocate Duma Boko are in line with his official duties.

Responding to the Budget Speech, Mahalapye West MP and Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere said the trips were within the mandate of his office and were for the benefit of the country.

Mr Tshere also said the move to increase corporate tax and top earners tax by 1.5 per cent was not meant to worsen the livelihood status of anyone.

He said the development had been distorted by some with intent to mislead the nation.

“We cautious in our approach as we are not increasing VAT and tax on consumable goods. The increase will only focus on those who are deemed capable,” he said.

He said he concurred with Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe that the budget catered for continuation until completion of the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) which was expected to end in July 2025.

Mr Tshere added that the review of the TNDP resulted in the suspension with the view of re-prioritisation of 48 per cent of the projects under the plan which had not yet started.

He said it had been unfortunate since all the projects which were earmarked for his constituency were part of the projects under review.

He remained hopeful that the review would prioritise some projects among them storm water drainage and a sports complex, all in Mahalapye.

Mr Tshere said Mahalapye community and the nation were concerned by traffic congestion along the A1 road, adding that Mahalapye Development Plan 2032 had a component to develop a by-pass to ease congestion currently experienced in the village, hence must be prioritised.

He said the project would equally cater for internal roads and roads linking Mahalapye and surrounding villages. He said traffic bound north and south would not be forced to go through Mahalapye.

Mr Tshere also indicated that sand mining in Mahalapye River was a serious concern.

He said it was unfortunate to observe that the natural resource was being degraded by companies in large construction projects by harvesting sand.

Therefore, he commended decision to temporarily suspend sand harvesting in Mahalapye River for the benefit of the community and for preserving the natural resource. ENDS