e) While attending Heads of Missions meetings and conference in Gaborone, the High Commissioner had entertained 20 other Heads of Missions to a banquet at a cost of P8 115, and charged the expenditure to a Seminars and Workshops vote. I have sought the Accounting Officers justification for this course of action as Heads of Missions’ consultation meetings are hosted by Headquarters and also the entertainment was away from the officer’s duty station. 

f) The Mission assists 2 parastatals, namely Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and Botswana Tourism Organisation, with the payment of staff salaries and other expenses which are subsequently reimbursed. While I have not noted any irregularities in this arrangement, I have suggested that these entities should provide their own funding and accounting arrangements outside of government transactions to avoid any possible confusion in this area. 

## 85. Audit of Accounts – Botswana High Commission, Pretoria 

The audit of the accounts of the Mission has shown lapses in the observance of laid down rules with regard to accounting and other related matters, the main ones of which are indicated below- 

(a) The long outstanding matter of the balance of unrecovered rental security deposit of P44 036.61 has still not been resolved. The balance resulted from failure to recover the security deposit upon closure of the Botswana Consulate in Cape Town in September 2012. The Accounting Officer’s submission to the last meeting of the Public Accounts Committee that the account is being reconciled is unhelpful in meaning and action, after the lapse of a period of 6 years. At this rate the prospects of recovery of this amount are next to nothing. 

(b) With regard to the leased properties in the Mission I have not been able to trace the accounts of the security deposits paid either from the examination of the Mission accounts or the General ledger, save for a residual balance of P4 068 in the General Ledger. 

(c) The Mission is contracted to a Medical Aid Scheme to cover the medical and health needs of the diplomatic and locally recruited members of staff, at a' monthly premium of P116 718. In the 7 months’ period up to October 2017, medical expenses to the tune of P26 648 had been paid directly to the service 

