Mohale FM THE Ministry of Local Government, Home Affairs, Police and Chieftainship has come under sharp scrutiny after approving an additional M87 million for road and bus terminal projects in Berea. The extra allocation comprises M70 million for the Berea Bypass and a M17 million cost variation for the Berea Bus Terminal.
Parliament had initially approved M123 million for urban road construction and rehabilitation. However, the ministry this month authorised the reallocation of an additional M70 million—without parliamentary approval—bringing the total urban roads budget to M193 million. It is not clear what the M70 million was initially intended for.
Appearing before the Law and Public Safety Cluster on Friday, the Director of Planning in the Department of Local Government and Chieftainship, ‘Malehano Letlema said there had been no supplementary budget in the first and second quarters of the financial year. She explained that the M17 million variation arose in the third quarter due to a misunderstanding between the ministry and the contractor.
Member of the Committee, Dr Mahali Pha motse, described the variation as “pure corruption” and questioned how such large sums could arise from what was described as a misunderstanding. She said there was widespread public concern about nepotism in the awarding of bus terminal tenders, adding that the latest revelations only deepened suspicion.
Responding to the criticism, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mpopo Tšoele, conceded that there was a need to strengthen accountability and procurement processes.
