COVID-19: Botswanan president takes six months pay cut
Gaborone – Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his cabinet ministers, including Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, have pledged to take a 10 per cent pay cut for the next six months in the fight against COVID-19.
“President Masisi and his cabinet ministers, I included, have pledged 10 per cent of our monthly salaries toward the COVID-19 Relief Fund for a period of six months,’’ Tsogwane told the nation in a live television broadcast on Tuesday evening.
The move is an acknowledgement that every person and organisation has a part to play “as we unite to stop the spread and transmission of the deadly COVID-19 in our country,’’ the vice president said.
According to Tsogwane, total deductions from the officials’ pay for the six months will amount to $100,440.
Earlier this month, Masisi announced the establishment of a COVID-19 relief fund, with a seed amount of 2 billion pula ($168 million).
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Botswana, which has so far reported 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death, has ordered citizens to practice social distancing and only get out of home for essential goods and services. (Xinhua/NAN)
