The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development now has three (3) Assistant Ministers. This comes after the appointment of Honourable Mabuse Pule as the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development yesterday.
Just when the national assembly winter session commenced yesterday, first on the agenda was the appointment of Honourable Mabuse Pule as the Assistant Minister. The appointment, which was effective immediately, was in accordance with The Ministerial Offices(Maximum Number) Amendment Act of 2016. The ammendment of the act had raised the number of Ministers from sixteen (16) to eighteen (18), and that of Assistant Ministers from eight (8) to Ten (10). However, ever until yesterday, there has been eight (8) Assistant Ministers, they are now 9, meaning there is still room for one (1) more Assistant Minister.
Before taking the oath as an Assistant Minister, Honourable Mabuse Pule was Deputy Speaker assisting Phandu Sekelemani. It is said Pule’s appointment is making way for Tonota Legislator Pono Moatlhodi who is to assume the deputy Speaker. Honourable Pono Moatlhodi, who have acted in the position in several occasions, have in fact defected from the opposing Botswana National Front (BNF) of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
When he defected to the ruling party, there were rumours that Moatlhodi has been promised the deputy speakership. However, rumours were condemned as baseless and untrue. Pule was qouted mentioning that he will not be removed from his position to pave way for Moatlhodi.
The just appointed Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mabuse Pule will be joining two incumbents Assistant Ministers of Local Government and Rural Development Sethabelo Modukanele and Kgotla Autlwetse. Pule’s portfolio at the Ministry will be discussed in the near future. The three (3) men are assisting Honourable Eric Molale who is the current Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
