Cabinet members in Botswana have agreed to donate 10% of their salaries towards the country’s COVID-19 relief fund, the government announced on Tuesday.
According to Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, members have pledged 10% of their salaries to the relief fund for a period of six months. The deductions will total P167,407.20 every month. The amount comes up to about $14,000 per month and $84,000 over the six-month period.
Speaking on BTV, Tuesday evening VP Tsogwane said, the President, himself as Vice President, Ministers and Assistant Ministers have all written letters and authorized deduction of 10% of their salaries to help the nation in the fight against COVID-19.
He also thanked Batswana and the private sector for their continued contribution to the fund and urged others to bring their pledges, monetary or otherwise. The country is under a lockdown occasioned by a state of emergency imposed to curb spread of the virus.
PRESIDENTIAL COVID-19 TASK FORCE
— Botswana Government (@BWGovernment) April 13, 2020
PUBLIC ADVISORY NO 8
APPLICATIONS FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES PERMITS pic.twitter.com/8Hf7Z90c4N