Botswana’s ailing minister ‘replaced’

July 26th, 2009

GABORONE, Saturday

Botswana’s President Ian Khama has granted his ailing Finance Minister a sick leave and appointed a non-MP to act in his place for four months. Section 43 of the Botswana constitution allows the President to appoint a non-parliamentarian as a Cabinet minister for up to four months.

The Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Eric Molale, who doubles as head of the Botswana civil service, said in a statement yesterday that Mr Baledzi Gaolathe had been granted sick leave and his place would be taken by a former Finance Permanent Secretary, Mr Kenneth Matambo. The changes take effect from August 1, 2009.

Since 1999
Mr Gaolathe has been in charge of Finance Minister since 1999 when he was appointed by retired President Festus Mogae. Before Mogae appointed Mr Gaolathe as Finance Minister, there had been speculation in 1999 that Mr Matambo would be nominated to Parliament and be given the job.

Mr Matambo has been at the heart of the Botswana’s development and financial system till he retired from public service last year. His last major posting in government service was managing director of Botswana Development Corporation, the main state investment parastatal.

source.nation.ke