19 Feb 2025

 The change of government post October 2024 general elections will have the effect of leading Botswana to strengthen Instruments or government, for the long-term benefit of the nation.

These sentiments were expressed by the Mmadinare Member of Parliament (MP) also Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa when contributing to the ongoing budget speech debate in Parliament yesterday.  

He said Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government was committed to transformative constitution, and toward strengthening independence and working environment of oversight institutions such as Ombudsman, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), and Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).

Mr Motshegwa said government commit to good working conditions for the labour force, to cohesive communities and their tribal leadership, to effective participation of the church and other community based organisations within the democratic society.

He noted that poverty and unemployment were of a major concern, and pledged that government was dedicated to improving the nation’s socio-economic development.

This he said included recognition of the importance of government hiring temporary teachers on a permanent basis at the opportune moment the financial considerations permit.

He added that government was committed to addressing corruption, but stressed that this would involve strengthening the capacity of investigation and prosecutorial authorities to legally follow up such crimes and bring them to their logical conclusion professionally without political interference.

Mr Motshegwa said the UDC government wanted to be held accountable “in the best interest of democracy and Batswana,” but pleaded that this takes place in an objective manner.

He said after consulting constituents expensively, they called for an electric fence that demarcate grazing and farmlands on the one end, and wildlife areas on the other.

He said storm water drainage systems, portable water provision, streetlights, youth centres and other such amenities were necessary for Mmadinare, Sefhophe, Tobane, Damochujenaa and others.

Further, Mr Motshegwa called for Robelela and Tshokwe roads to be constructed and maintained as well as a primary hospital to be constructed at Mmadinare. ENDS