The Ministry of Transport and Communications is planning a major shake down that will result in scores of politicians being chucked out of the boards of companies under the Botswana Post Holdings Group.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications Kabelo Ebineng confirmed last week plans are afoot to get rid of active politicians from the boards of the Botswana Post Holdings Group.
Acknowledging that the arrangement was irregular, Ebineng said this amounted to conflict of interest. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Ebineng said he uncomfortable with politicians serving as board members of parastatal organizations.
Quizzed by Member of Parliament (MP) Ndaba Gaolatlhe on what steps were being taken to address the irregularity, Ebineng stated that he was in consultation with his Minister and proper action would be taken in few weeks.
“We have done some forensic audit at Botswana Post and we felt the need to dissolve the board and come up with a new one,” said Ebineng.
Further quizzed by MP for Tati East, Moyo Guma on corporate governance relating politicians serving on boards of the parastatal, Ebineng stated “We have in the past taken decisions regarding the matter as required by the law and will continue to do so.”
Currently Botswana Holding Group Board Chairman is Puma Matlhware. He told the committee that Botswana Post recently fired some board members and replaced them with new members ahead of the merger between Botswana Post and Botswana Couriers.
Ebineng stated that the amalgamated entity will provide postal, courier, logistics and financial services in support of government’s agenda to provide efficient and cost effective services across Botswana. He said it is expected that the amalgamation will be completed in the current financial year.
In November 2017, government rescinded its previous directive through Presidential Directive CAB 32(A)/2017. The new directive provided for the amalgamation of BotswanaPost and Couriers into a single entity falling under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. As a result, the companies are expected to operate as one company being, BotswanaPost.
BSB on the other hand will be transferred back to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
