Africa-Press – Botswana. The history of frequently asked questions in Parliament on reasons behind acquisition of Tautona Lodge and the association of the facility with Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DISS) are a source of great concern leading to suspicions and allegations of impropriety.
Giving a statement in Parliament recently regarding government’s acquisition of the lodge, Minister for State President Mr Moeti Mohwasa said it was now clear that such questions could not be addressed in a piece-meal fashion.
He said the questions could not be addressed without a comprehensive review of all associated circumstances, including its association with the DIS and whether public funds were misappropriated in the acquisition of the lodge.
“My Ministry is in the process of conducting reviews with the view to establish the relevant facts so that at the right time, this House is fully apprised as to all the issues concerning Tautona Lodge,” he said.
Mr Mohwasa said available information further showed that the land in which Tautona Lodge sat was a farm purchased by government at a total sum of P58 240 000 since 7th May 2021.
Mr Mohwasa said while understanding the angst of legislators regarding government’s accountability on the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), it was proving a challenge that while the ministry was in the middle of conducting a review of the organisation which would otherwise provide comprehensive answers to different specific questions arising from members, members themselves wanted certain specific answers on the spot.
He said questions on acquisition of Tautona Lodge were even asked in the House under the previous administration and a number of answers were provided.
“I believe the controversy arose following answers provided by the then Presidential Affairs Minister Kabo Morwaeng,” he said, adding that the then minister had indicated that the lodge would mainly be utilised for training by government departments, including being a centre for hosting research on sand-veldt environment, particularly wildlife, cattle rearing and agriculture.
Mr Mohwasa said state president was seeking to understand the rationale behind reasons for the acquisition, particularly whether such reasons necessarily were in fulfilment of DISS mandate as established by the DISS Act.
“I believe when the DIS has fully briefed my ministry it will become easy to answer the questions and concerns from MPs,” he said.
He assured Parliament that if and when the ministry’s review of issues related to Tautona Lodge discovered serious impropriety, such findings would inform government’s next cause of action. In addition to the Lodge, he said the facility had diverse animal species.
“The facility offers hospitality services as well as conferencing, game drive, bush walk and sand dance, restaurant and campsite, among others,” he said.
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