(c) The Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Regulations require that minerals permit holders shall submit monthly production returns to the Chief Government Mining Engineer within 15 days after the end of the month to which they relate. However, instances had been noted where this requirement had not been complied with and there was no indication of action taken against offenders. This is despite the significance of these returns in the determination of royalties due to Government. 

At the time of writing this report I had not received the Accounting Officer’s comments. 

## 62. Vesting of Assets in Botswana Geoscience Institute 

Botswana Geoscience Institute is a statutory body established by Botswana Geoscience Institute Act, (No 29 of 2014) to undertake research in the field of geosciences to provide specialised geoscientific services and to act as an advisory body in respect of geohazards and for matters incidental thereto. Essentially, the Institute took over the functions previously performed by the Department of Geological Survey. In terms of the Act, all Government assets on charge to the former Department of Geological Survey were vested in the Institute while the liabilities remained the obligation of Government. In the event, the Institute did not take over 30 vehicles, out of a fleet complement of 63 vehicles, which then remained the property of Government. 

A recent audit visit to the Institute to check on hand-over issues had indicated that the Ministry had not collected the said vehicles from the Institute premises since take-over in 2015 to-date, nor had the mechanics seconded from the Central Transport Organisation been redeployed back to the Department. There were indications that the vehicles were in use as evidenced by invoices in respect of fuel drawn from the Central Transport Organisation fuel depots. The total invoiced amount was P99 333 covering the period from March 2017 to January 2018. On the other hand, the seconded mechanics continued to draw monthly salaries while they remained idle in the Institutes premises in the same period. There was some uncertainty about the duties on which the vehicles were engaged as they were not on direct allocation to any Government Department during this period. 

In my view there has been a serious neglect of duty on the part of Ministry officers who failed to withdraw the vehicles from the Institute for such a long period, and put them to good use by reallocation to other departments or send them back to the Central Transport Organisation Pool. In the same vein, the Central Transport Organisation should have 

