Masisi’s water bowser driver get P150 000 in overtime
President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s water bowser truck driver has for the past two years been paid overtime allowance at close to P150 000.
Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng said the Public Service Act Section 31 is clear on the provision relating to payment of overtime allowance.
He said it is an entitlement for any person employed in the public service to be paid an overtime allowance where such employee has worked extended hours and outside the normal working hours.
“There is a Bowser truck under the Office of the President which is allocated a driver who operates it and responsible for the provision of portable water to any place where there is need for such for the consumption of the President and his entourage including other assignments that the officer may be tasked with. From April 2020 to date, the officer has been paid an amount of P148 588.73 as overtime allowance,” Morwaeng said.
The Minister explained that as the sitting President, Masisi’s welfare is the sole responsibility of the Government. He said that includes provision of basic necessities such as water, food, security and transport among others.
“The Green Book under Section XI in particular Paragraph 48( 5) provides that “all expenses relating to the domestic upkeep of the President including utilities shall be met from public funds.”
The Government is therefore required to supply water and other amenities to His Excellency the President for his upkeep and his security wherever he is, as part of his benefits provided for in the Green Book,” Morwaeng told Parliament this week, adding that the current status quo does not warrant a borehole to be drilled for the President.
He emphasised that bowsing is a temporary measure to address water demand in the short term. Morwaeng who is also MP for Molepolole South said it must be understood that the provision of water is not fixed to the President’s farm or any other of his private property, but anywhere in the country and is provided by Water Utilities Corporation.
He revealed that the current system of bowsing water is, therefore the most suitable. It is worth noting that Government cannot drill a borehole on a privately owned land, he said.
The Minister was responding to MP for Serowe South Leepetswe Lesedi, who asked the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration to state: how much has been paid to Government drivers in overtime payments to bowse water to any of President Masisi’s farms or properties and the number of Government vehicles and bowsing trucks/ bowsers used for the task; if bowsing forms part of the Presidential Benefits and Entitlements; and why Government does not see the need to drill a borehole as opposed to regular bowsing looking at the long- term cost in terms of time, money and the number of Government employees involved in the activity.