The Ex Minister of Employment and Labour Mr. Sello Machakela was accorded all the rights and benefits which accrue to the position of the Minister while on sick leave.

This was disclosed by the Assistant Minister of Labour and Employment Mrs. 'Matanki Mokhabi in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

When responding to questions, she said according to the ministry's records, Mr. Machakela was on sick leave for 83 working days from 30/10/03 to 31/03/04.

However, she said those sick leave days were not continuous.

During his sick leave Mr. Machakela was accorded all the rights and benefits like communication, power and water.

'In terms of staffing, he had full-time body guards and other ministerial staff (i.e. Housekeeping, Gardener and Personal Aide),'she added.

She noted that the former Minister also received full salary and housing allowance during the period in question and that he also had ministerial vehicles at his disposal.

The question was raised by the Member of Parliament for Taung No.56 Ms. Keketso Rants'o who demanded to know expenses the government incurred to assist the ex Minister Machakela to recover from his illness when he was still a Minister.
 

Source: LENA 13/05/2008