Local news media company Mmegi Investment Holdings (MIH) has recently invested in a P25 million printing press.

MIH, the publishers of   some of the country’s oldest newspapers including Botswana Guardian and Mmegi, this week announced that the new state of the art press will become operational by September this year. “The company has been strategically positioning itself for growth by diversifying its products as well as venturing into other sectors of the economy over the last three years,” said MIH Chairman Methaetsile Leepile this week.

“The new state of the art equipment will transform the MIH’s current printing facility situated at Tlokweng to be a fully   fledged world-class commercial printer.” Moreover, Leepile described the heat-set web off set press as the   only one of   its kind in   Botswana, adding that the equipment is able to print newspapers, glossy magazines flyers and books. 

“Two of the principal shareholders in MIH, Leepile and Titus Mbuya, together holding a majority of the company’s shareholding offered a combined 30 percent of their shares for sale to raise funds.” According to Leepile, the sale was done through the Office of the Group’s Company secretary in compliance with statutory requirements. Moreover, Leepile said the company’s existing shareholders were given the opportunity to exercise their pre-emptive rights to buy the shares before the offer could be opened to third parties in a special window.

“This was in accordance with the requirements of the Shareholders agreement. During the pre-emptive purchase window one existing shareholder bought some shares. Shares offered were still remaining so they were offered to the general public after the expiry of the pre-emptive window.”

Leepile explained that three Botswana companies applied to purchase the shares and of the three, one successfully completed the process namely Universal House (Pty) Limited. Meanwhile the changes in the company shareholding structure will necessitate changes in the directorship. Mbuya   is now expected to takeover as Group Manager Director, while   Leepile continues to serve as Chairman of the Board. Moreover, the shareholders still maintain the majority shareholding.

Attorney representing Sunday Standard Editor, Outsa Mokone, Dick Bayford has argued that the arrest and detention of his client by Security Agents in 2014 was unlawful. He said this week before Acting Judge for Lobatse High Court, Jennifer Dube.

Mokone has approached the court to challenge the lawfulness of his arrest, detention and refusal to legal representation in his 2014 controversial sedition case. Bayford argued before Justice Dube that at the time of arresting Mokone there was no evidence of oath on the warrant of arrest and search. “The warrant sought was unlawful and we submit that it be set aside. My client was also not given legal representation within a reasonable time,” said Bayford who further accused the police to have sat on the warrant of arrest and only to execute it six days later.

Nchunga Nchunga who was representing the state said the arrest was lawful. He also refuted what was carried in the then newspaper article. “This incident has not been investigated. Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has not examined whether there is anything to determine in the case. The President was not involved in the car accident and it is not true that he was alone in a black Range Rover SUV,” said Nchunga adding that everything in the affidavits of Mokone was distorted.

“The Attorney General wrote to the applicants and there was a meeting at Police Commissioner’s office to set the record straight. That meeting and the letter could have ended the case,” said Nchunga.  In his affidavits Mokone argues that sedition in terms of the sections 50 and 51 in the penal code, is in itself a violation of freedom of expression.

“I aver that outrageousness, untruthfulness and the defamatory or demeaning character of a story does not render it seditious. It is difficult to see how an allegation that the President was involved in an accident in which no fault is attributed to him can be perceived to be seditious, even if same turns out to be false.”

Mokone was arrested after the publication published a story in August 2014 headlined ‘President hit in car accident while driving alone at night’. The author of the story, Edgar Tsimane has since fled the country allegedly fearing for his life after a tip-off.  The judgment will be delivered on the 26th August 2016.

On Tuesday this week the Okavango constituency office in Shakawe was locked from the inside. A sign on the door read, “Meeting in progress. Come later.” The office, which houses Member of Parliament, Bagalatia Arone of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), remained locked until the late hours of the day.

Later that day, in the evening, MP Arone approached a close friend of his and told him that ‘I am joining these guys’. His friend asked him what he meant and the BCP man who is on his second term as MP for the Okavango constituency told him that he was defecting to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. And his main reason: financial gain. “He basically told me that he does not want to leave politics a poor man,” said Arone’s friend who preferred to be anonymous. Arone has not handed in his resignation letter yet but sources say he will be a BDP member as soon as next week. A letter of intent to join the BDP is expected to reach the party before end of this week.In Botswana, politicians defect to a different party rarely because of conflicting ideologies but rather for personal reasons and of late for financial gain. 

According to sources, Arone had earlier on Tuesday told employees of the constituency office that he was joining the BDP and thus they should follow him lest they lose their jobs. The constituency office secretary has since indicated that she will follow Arone to the BDP, sources have said. A Botswana Congress Party councillor for Nxamasere-Xhaoga-Samothima ward in Okavango, Gaopalelwe Ronald told this publication on Tuesday that Arone approached him and tried to recruit him (Ronald) to the BDP. “He told me that he was joining the BDP and thus he wanted me to also defect,” said Ronald. The latter refused the offer to join the BDP.

According to the councillor the MP was busy this week consulting and recruiting members of the BCP to the ruling party, a move which prompted his party (BCP) to suspend him. So far the councillors that Arone have approached have turned him down and the likelihood is that he will reach Tsholetsa House alone or with some ordinary party members in the constituency. The BCP had earlier on Tuesday said they did not have any letter of resignation from any of their MPs, and as a result could not address rumors.  But the party later on the day released a statement stating that they have suspended Arone pending further investigations.

Ronald said the MP told him that he was joining the ruling party because being in opposition disadvantages the constituency in terms of developments. His reason being that Okavango, a constituency hit by poverty and rising unemployment numbers, remains less developed because it is in the hands of the opposition. The constituency for many years remained an opposition stronghold.Meanwhile, Ronald revealed to Botswana Guardian that Arone also told him that he is joining the BDP because opposition politics cannot make him rich. 

It is currently not clear how Arone’s defection to the BDP will help him financially but sources say the MP has purchased a lodge in Shakawe and has another “project” in Letlhakane. Insiders say the MP is looking at life after politics. Apparently the MP got himself into a financial mess and the BDP has arranged to rescue him. “The lodge is the one that got him into trouble. He underfinanced and could not renovate to start operations. BDP has arranged to finance,” said an insider. The lodge in question, Hawk Guest House is currently going through renovations. A source based in Shakawe told this publication that renovation works have started at the lodge.

It is not yet clear what project the MP is working on in Letlhakane but sources said he told close friends that he has something coming up in that area. Contacted for comment, Arone denied joining BDP for financial gains. “People like prophesy”, he said without denying or confirming his defection. Asked about the lodge Arone indicated that he applied for a loan at CEDA and it was approved in November last year.

Pressed further about under financing and the renovations Arone hung the phone, but not before he angrily exclaimed “le a ntapisa banna, nna ke busy mo kgaolong ke tla bua le lona ke le ko Gaborone (you guys are irritating me, I am busy in my constituency and I will talk to you when I get to Gaborone). BDP Secretary General, Botsalo Ntuane said they have not received anything official to suggest that Arone is their member. He however said anything could happen and if it so happens that anyone joins the BDP, it would be accordingly communicated.

Defection part of Mokgweetsi Masisi’s recruitment drive
Botswana Guardian understands that Arone’s defection to the ruling party is part of a major scheme by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi to build his own team within the party. Many of the opposition members who recently decamped to the BDP are said to be recruited by Masisi. He is the one who puts their personal deals together as he wants to build a team that will be loyal to him as he fights for the BDP top post. Masisi is largely viewed as someone who has no base in the Barata Party or A Team factions of the BDP and is a man in need of a faction that he can count on. All the BCP members who have since joined the party among them former youth league President Lotty Manyapetsa have been linked to Masisi as he sees them as hard working individuals that he can count on. Masisi could not be reached for comment as his phone rang unanswered. For his part Manyapetsa said as any BDP member he is loyal to the party and not individuals and anything he does in the party would be in accordance with the assignment given to him by the party.

BCP to approach Kenny Kapinga
Insiders have told this publication that the BCP members in the constituency want the party leadership to approach Botswana’s outgoing Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Kenny Kapinga to represent the party come 2019. Kapinga is viewed as a BCP sympathiser.
Okavango has been a BCP stronghold for long and it is anticipated that come what may, the BDP may still find it difficult to claim the constituency under Arone. Efforts to reach Kapinga at press time were futile. On social media page ‘Facebook’, Kapinga on May 27th,bid Zimbabweans and Batswana living in Zimbabwe farewell. “The reality of life is that there is time for everything. I am now home, ready to venture onto new career altogether,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Botswana youth contractors have been urged not to take construction business as a moneymaking scheme to venture into, as it is a very competitive environment, which requires dedication.This was emphasised by Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology, Nonofo Molefhi on Tuesday at the construction youth seminar held at Oasis Motel, Tlokweng.

Molefhi’s call comes amid concerns that Batswana construction companies are not fully committed to deliver projects whenever they are awarded tenders. Minister Molefhi highlighted that his Ministry has had an experience of failed projects by citizens and as well as foreigners and this is a cost to the taxpayer’s money.

Said Molefhi, “there is lack of proper procurement plans and this has an impact on capacity to deliver the work. Poor scheduling of work- you must plan your work so that you do not consume your resources by extending time on the site. We have also realised that the skills employed in these construction companies are not up to standards- they must ensure that they employ the right skills required. Management capacity, financial management and leadership quality- these are key principles to adhere to.”The youth contractors were also urged by the Minister to always familiarise themselves with the laws that govern the industry, as well as understanding the employment and labour laws.

Opportunities for youth contractors
Minister Molefhi revealed that under the 2016/17 budget, about P87million has been set aside for maintenance works, and P14million is set for youth contractors. He also encouraged the youth contractors to look outside Botswana boundaries. “Other countries such as South Sudan are looking for your expertise. I want to escort you to South Sudan. We are waiting for Festus Mogae to return from South Sudan and give feedback on the opportunities available for Botswana- if it is approved then our contractors will have to go. Just recently teachers were sent to Seychelles,” he promised.

The voice of the youth contractors association
Botswana Youth Contractors Association (BYCA) Chairman, Mpho Makgosa indicated that although they appreciate the youth empowerment schemes by the government, they are however not benefiting the youth as expected. “Although good initiatives are in place, there is no affirmative action for the youth. They do not serve the intended purpose due to the current structure they operate. On the other hand, youth contractors have their own shortfalls, for instance, lack of professional and personal experience. This results in projects abandonment due to misuse of funds,” highlights Makgosa. He also noted on the challenges of production of sub-standard projects and also engaging in malpractices of taking part in corruption activities with government officials.
“We can only achieve mindset change through capacity building workshops or platforms and through implementation of the youth empowerment projects,” he concludes. 

Advice from the construction gurus
Barulaganyi Gakelebotse, founding partner at NTR Technologies shared his word of encouragement with the youth contractors and how at NTR they managed to survive for the past 19 years in the industry. Gakelebotse, who is also chairman of the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors of Botswana (AEMCB), urged the youth to form businesses in partnerships and that there should always be a spirit of teamwork and patience. “We need to understand that when having a business, you can’t afford stagnation; it has to grow and the growth has to be planned. Always be prepared to handle multiple tenders, and only when you have the capacity and capability. The business processes must always be followed- do not just dictate to the business and make uninformed decisions,” Gakelebotse said.

Another guru who has been in the industry for the past 26 years, Chris Gofhamodimo who started Mhago Construction and now running Mhago Properties- emphasised that construction is not a money making scheme. “This is a cut throat business- you can make P10million today and lose P2million tomorrow. There is no promise of tomorrow today you are rich, tomorrow you are busted, so there is no continuity. There are also no guarantees of work (tenders) in Botswana. You are in the era where construction industry is in a very difficult/hostile environment, there is tough competition.”

Gofhamodimo also indicated that, while at it, the youthful contractors should look at other business ventures to invest in their profits. “Diversify your portfolio so that when things don’t go right you can lean back to something else. I fell back on property development and I do not have to worry about construction tenders. I am currently developing Metlhaetsile Estate in Block 6. Don’t go buy Range Rovers and Landcruisers,” advised Gofhamodimo.

Property company, New African Properties made history at the domestic market on Wednesday after trading shares worth P453 million.

This was the biggest trade  in a single day since BSE started operations. NAP among others own Riverwalk mall and Kagiso Shopping mall. NAP has a market capitalisation of P1,7 billion. It closed Wednesday trading at 293 thebe. Acting BSE product Development Manager, Kopano Bolokwe said the second largest trade in a single day is currently being is held by Letshego, which traded shares worth P165,8 million in April 2011.

Speaking at an event on the same day to mark the celebration of the historic trade by NAP, Chief Executive of BSE, Thapelo Tsheole said the trade signifies the confidence that investors has on NAP and indeed BSE as the exchange house. “Such trading also helps improves liquidity,” added the BSE boss.NAP went  public  back  in September 2011.

The 6th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD VI) senior officials meeting got off on a tense note Wednesday morning in Banjul, The Gambia with African delegates heckling the Japanese facilitator.

The purpose of the meeting was specifically to prepare the draft Nairobi Declaration for today's (Friday) ministerial meeting ahead of the TICAD VI Summit slated for Nairobi, Kenya on August 27 – 28th. Botswana is being represented at these all-important preparatory meetings by Ambassador to Japan, Jacob Nkate and the Head of African Union (AU) Mission in Addis Ababa, Punkie Molefe as well as Deputy Chief of Japan Mission, Pule Mphothwe.

The morning session nearly degenerated into an argument as some of the African officials accused the Japanese facilitator, Ambassador Norio Maruyama who is Director General for the Africa Affairs Department in Japan of “imposing” pre-determined Japanese agenda on them. But the envoy denied this, insisting he was instead presiding over procedural issues. So intense were the debates that at one point the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ethiopia wondered why the five co-organisers- Japan Government; African Union Commission; World Bank and United Nations Development Programme – were making decisions on behalf of African Governments if indeed the TICAD process was a partnership initiative.

But Ambassador Maruyama reiterated there was no intention on his part or the Japanese Government’s to impose any decisions on African Governments. He said he is willing to listen to all the comments from the African delegations to inform the Test that the Ministers are expected to produce on Thursday and Friday. Other African delegates especially from Uganda, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone felt that the Draft Declaration produced by the Senior Officials Meeting held March this year in Djibouti had been “altered” and that they were seeing a completely new Draft dated 3rd June 2016 for the first time in Banjul.

The Japanese Envoy again explained procedure that Djibouti was basically to produce a “skeletal” draft, which would thereafter be improved. But in the afternoon session, tempers had calmed as the meeting discussed the Draft Nairobi Declaration chapter by chapter and making inputs, which the Secretariat was expected to capture and incorporate into the Text to produce a new Draft Declaration by Thursday morning.

In a separate interview, Mphothwe told Botswana Guardian that by reason of her Middle Income status, Botswana is not benefiting adequately as she would like from the TICAD process. This is because the country does not qualify for grants and loans from Japan. It only receives technical assistance in the form of skills transfer in science and technology related areas, he said.He said it was high time that Botswana developed a TICAD Strategy to derive maximum benefit from TICAD process.

Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) today this week commemorated the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD 2016).

The commemorations were held at   the Kweneng village of Thamaga on Friday under the theme: “ICT (Information and Communication Technology) entrepreneurship for social impact.” The theme is in line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s work in unlocking the potential of ICTs   for young innovators and entrepreneurs; a statement from the BIH reads.

The theme also encompasses start-ups and technology hubs as drivers of innovative and practical solutions for catalysing progress in achieving international sustainable development goals. As   part of the commemorations, BIH hosted a three-day innovation, Business and technology workshop for schools and SMEs in Thamaga.

“The company mobilized clients of its technology entrepreneurship development programme First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) to form part of the workshop,” a statement from the   Botswana Innovation Hub reads. In addition, Botswana Innovation Hub registered company ConceroTel sponsored provision of WIFI   for the duration of the   event. The company is also expected to provide a size month mentorship to Thamaga Youth who are providing   Internet services in the village.

Meanwhile another BIH registered company IT-IQ has sponsored at Internet Computing fundamental training course for primary school teachers at Thamaga and surrounding areas. ICT   is one of BIH’s focus sectors and participation is the WTISD 2016 advances the company’s mandate of fostering entrepreneurship and technology transfer to develop star up companies and add value to existing ones.

Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) has condemned the Botswana government for failing to speak up against the government of Zimbabwe’s oppression of workers but instead fought alongside her counterpart at the recent International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.

The Zimbabwe and Swaziland governments were brought before the ILC committee of Application of Standards for failure to domesticate some ILO conventions and Botswana intervened on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).Addressing the media this week, BFTU President, Bohithetswe Lentswe said they were disappointed by Botswana’s response. He said Zimbabwe failed to domesticate the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention while Swaziland continues to violate Convention 87, which talks about Freedom of Association and Protection of the right to Organise. He said Botswana also speaking on behalf of SADC countries as the chair of the region defended Swaziland and expressed confidence that the country would resolve the matter and be put to finality.

“It is not a secret anymore of what is happening to the workers in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was not appearing for the first time before this committee for breaching the ILO Convention. The severity of these breaches, notably the serial physical and psychological attacks on workers and their trade union leaders are worrisome. Now Botswana instead of condemning this, requested that Zimbabwe be given another chance to sort herself. Botswana further said since Zimbabwe is going through constitutional reforms she is confident that things will be restored to normal”, he said.

Lentswe said as Zimbabwe’s neighbor, Botswana government knows very well the implications felt by the country and its citizens due to the way the Zimbabwean government is treating its workers. The president said workers in Zimbabwe are abused which forces some of them to flee to Botswana. He explained that the conference has however agreed that a commission of inquiry of experts should be sent to Zimbabwe and Swaziland to investigate. The commission is expected to report back in September this year. He said BFTU as a member of World Workers Actors, strongly believes in social dialogue and they condemn with outright the decision of Botswana Government to condone the bad behaviour exhibited by Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

Retrospectively speaking, the recent reckless comments by Botswana on the highly sensitive South China Sea issue did not come as a surprise. Rather, it would have been a surprise had they said something substantive, objective and conforming to diplomatic etiquette.

I suppose by now, the diplomatic community here has gotten too accustomed to these ‘schizophrenic feats’ of its host. Although the comments were aimed at embarrassing China at international stage, they also served as a calculated move directed at exploiting strategic differences in US-China relations. A kind of rudimentary move to divide and conquer. All those keenly following the issue would be acquainted to the fact that the dispute is now snowballing into a geo-strategic and military tinderbox and the risk open conflict is real. The strategic warning signals are already there for all to see.  The ongoing strategic ‘posturing’ by both US and China in the South China Sea, which includes heightened rhetoric and deployment of strategic air and naval assets, are indicative of heightened risk of open conflict.

The US has so far shown determination to present itself as guarantor of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea dispute, thereby, not only challenging China in her sphere of influence but also disputing her territorial claim of the region. In backing this position, US Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter declared that, United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as we do around the world, and the South China Sea is not and will not be an exception.

This prompted an angry response from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang, who said, I advise the US not to make a fool out of themselves in trying to be smart. Recently, Admiral Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the Chinese Joint Staff Department has remarked that, We dont make trouble but we dont fear trouble. In the light of these overt developments, one would have expected our foreign policy practitioners to be aware that the South China Sea issue is evolving into a textbook standoff between two great powers. This would have surely informed approach and sensitivity into the issue.

However, Botswana’s comment on the South China Sea issue came from a foregone conclusion that China was an aggressor. This inversely supported US position on the matter and to an extent gave the Chinese an impression that Botswana was just following through on US ‘instructions.’

As far as I am concerned, this was not the case because it would insinuate an ‘ally-type’ of relationship between US and Botswana. Under President Khama, US-Botswana relations can be described as ‘love-on-the-rocks.’ They are no longer at a level where US can rely on Botswana for policy projection. The way I see it, the US retains peripheral influence and it is mostly institution-to-institution based. Although there are many factors affecting this relationship, as far as I am concerned, it boils down to trust. Khama’s government does not seem to trust Americans.

There is unpronounced suspicion by the Khama regime on US activities here, especially their relationship with private media. Having said that, there is also a narrative doing circles in political and security corridors, which accuses Americans of ‘propping’ UDC. Therefore, there is little or no room for US to have dictated to Botswana what to say. As far as I am concerned, the move was directed at further polarising the two major powers.

The more polarised, the more they are vulnerable to his personal exploits. This would then mean, the two countries would have to out-compete each other for his attention and ultimately for his Khama’s pseudo-philanthropy projects.
The fact is, the strategic end-goal of Khama in any engagement, is always premised on acknowledgement and affirmation.

Micro lender Blue Employee Benefits Botswana (BEBB) finds itself on the wrong side with the tax agency, Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) and the industry regulator, Non-Banking Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), it has been established.

BEBB is a micro lender with government employees as its clientele. This publication has seen strong worded documents from the two compliance organisations to BEBB. Information gathered by Botswana Guardian suggests that poor working relations between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Financial Manager and some of the senior managers have contributed to the company failing to pay tax between 2012 and 2015 and not submitting audited financial results with NBFIRA.

The company is now paying about P500 000.00 each month to clear the debt after its request for a payment model was approved. Some industry players are dissatisfied with the ‘soft’ treatment BEBB got from both BURS and NBFIRA.“It seems the two organisations are lenient with BEBB. The micro lender is having its own internal problems. We are told the finance manager is not working well with his other junior who assists him to prepare the financial reports and be able to submit to NBFIRA and to update with tax payment. It has been the case even with the past finance managers,” said an industry player who did not want to be mentioned.

An employee at BEBB also revealed that things are not run properly at the company hence its failure to abide. The employee who cannot be named for fear of victimization told this publication that staff morale is low at the company as the finance manager and the CEO are not taking the whole team on board in running the company.However, Botswana Guardian can reveal that the company has been subjected to forensic auditing for the past two weeks. In one of the letters dated November 9th 2015 from NBFIRA in which BEBB was fined P35 000.00, the authority explained that the mitigation by the micro lender regarding failure to comply were not satisfactory. The letter from NBFIRA Acting Compliance Director Motsisi Sebonape further states that the micro lender has failed to submit audited financial statements timeously in previous years “and is thus not a first time offender”.

She further warned that the notice of fine does not limit the authority’s right to take further regulatory action.When contacted, BEBB CEO, Favour Marebole dismissed claims of low staff morale and poor working relation between his office, finance manager and other senior staff members. He said the audited financials for the year ending 2014 were signed and sent to NBFIRA on the 15th January 2016. Regarding withholding of tax, the CEO explained, “indeed the company has an outstanding Tax liability which was communicated to BURS as part of a voluntary tax disclosure process in 2014 and was facilitated by one of the major tax audit companies. The total Principal Tax owing as per the latest statements is just over P1m (P1, 025,873.93 to be exact) as at May 2016,” he said, adding that the company has an existing payment plan with BURS that it has been honouring throughout this period since the disclosure. “It is important to note that the efforts shown by the company towards settling its tax liability were at some point commended by BURS to the extent that a waiver of penalty interest was also secured.”

A letter from BURS seen by this publication dated 29th January 2016 informed the company that its tax returns for 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 have been selected for audit. Marebole confirmed the ongoing forensic review but rubbished claims that there is mismanagement of funds. “It is company policy that all issues be investigated and until the report is out, we are not able to comment,” he said. He said the company is currently up-to date with its compliance for the Audited Financials of December 2014 and currently working through the Financials of up-to December 2015.

“The current audit for the year ending 31st December 2015 is still on-going. The delay was caused by the fact that the company has recently changed its Loan Management System in August 2015, and there is a process which is on-going to confirm the core asset, being the loan book. The whole of the Finance team is new, having recently joined the department during the last quarter of 2015,” he stated. Said Marebole, “As a result, it is expected that since they joined the company at the end of the financial year and they have to deal with auditors for the financial year they were not there, certain delays will be experienced. An audit process is not an easy and straight forward process and it requires preparation.”

Matshediso Pule of BURS said they are constrained to make any comments on “your questionnaire because we cannot divulge taxpayers information to third parties on consideration of our taxpayer confidentiality policies and laws.”Communications and Public Affairs Manager at NBFIRA, Tapologo Kwapa said as part of their regulatory process they are at liberty to afford entities audit or any form of extension given prevailing circumstances as long as there are no regulatory contraventions.  “On the point of charges we are compelled by the Act and our internal policies to make a final determination on penalties by ensuring compliance with the Financial Services Laws,” explained Kwapa.

The dark spectre of tribalism looms large over Kenya ahead of the historic first-ever summit of Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD VI), due 26th to 27th August 2016 in the capital, Nairobi.

While punters are upbeat over the immense economic prospects and benefits that the international meet portends for the country’s hotels, taxis, SMEs, curio shops and food industry- the fly in the ointment is the ethnicity issue abetted, according to a Kenyan delegate at the civil society sensitisation meeting, by “poor governance” and the absence of democracy.TICAD – Japan’s multilateral development framework for Africa incepted in 1993 will gather Africa’s 54 heads of state and government together with the Japanese Prime Minister at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in August for its sixth Summit to sign the Nairobi Declaration, which Africa’s Ministers, were this week (June 16 and 17) busy drafting in the capital of The Gambia, Banjul.
Politics has nevertheless poisoned the atmosphere in the host country as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Coalition faces off with Raila Odinga’s CORD ahead of next year’s general election, which marks the second and last term of office for Uhuru, the son of the country’s founding president – Jomo Kenyatta.

One after the other, the civil society delegates convened at Hotel Royal Orchid in Westlands along the Lantana Road in Nairobi, quivered with emotions of anger and trepidation as they recounted the sob stories of how tribalism has divided Kenya so much that people even fear to openly mention their surnames. They said that to get a job in today’s Kenya, one has to come from one of the dominant tribes, either Kenyatta’s Kikuyu – or his Vice President, William Ruto’s Kalenjin. Excluded and marginalised from national development and state opportunities, other tribes, including the Luto of opposition leader, Odinga, will not be cowed by what they perceive as state-sponsored ethnicity war. “It’s so sad,” said a government delegate at the conference, “Political affiliation is no longer based on support for party policies and ideology but on which tribe the leader belongs to.”

He added for good measure, “In fact, if your tribe has no leader in government, you can kiss rural development initiatives goodbye, you just have to bide your time and await your turn for someone from your tribe to ascend the rungs of the ladder of state power.” And for some like Raila Odinga, whose father, Oginga, was also an opposition leader, the wait is never-ending, says the delegate.“It’s an open secret that Raila commands the largest support base in Kenya, his only undoing is that he belongs to a ‘wrong’ tribe, that’s why people fear to support him openly,” says a banker in Nairobi’s central business district. On this week of the civil society sensitisation meeting, both Jubilee and CORD are navigating a political impasse occasioned by disagreements over the composition, mandate and terms of reference for the appointment of an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The stalemate is now being resolved through open demonstrations held twice a week – on Mondays and Thursdays at the instigation of CORD. But these have not been without reprisals and repercussions – some fatal, as trigger-happy security agents respond swiftly – in their bid to restore order and normalcy. Press reports here recount gory stories of police brutality not only in the cities of Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa, but also in the hinterlands.Unemployment, like in other African counties is a serious problem here in Kenya, especially for the youth. President of Africa’s Youth Union says compounding the problem is that government stopped hiring in 2009. “I think they (elite power brokers) want to push us out of the city. Look, it’s hard for me to pay monthly rentals for the house I am renting hardly two years since I left University, now what does that tell you about an unemployed youth?” he asks.

However, it is the vexing subject of tribalism, which according to one of the African diplomats at the meeting will require serious attention from the TICAD process. Some suggested that the issue could be covered under social security, which is one of the three thematic areas identified for development financing in the draft Nairobi Declaration and kits plan of action. The others are Industrialisation and Health, Water and Sanitation. Yet other delegates felt that the problem of ethnicity in Africa, just like terrorism and organised crime, deserves attention under the Yokohama Declaration Plan of Action 2013 -2017, the outcome document of TICAD V, which was held last year in Yokohama from 1 - 3 June under the theme, ‘Hand in Hand with a More Dynamic Africa.’ The Yokohama Declaration envisages among others, inclusive and resilient societies in Africa as well as peace and stability in the region.

According to one of the TICAD co-organisers, the Office of Special Adviser for Africa (OSAA), Japan committed a staggering US$26 million to support the consolidation of peace and stability in the Sahel Region. Information scanned from OSAA website and corroborated by spokespersons of the AU-CIDO, which is the Secretariat for ECOSOC, the department responsible for civil societies at the African Union Commission as well as representatives of the Japanese Citizens Network for TICAD, the Government of Japan pledged US$32 billion at the TICAD-V in Yokohama in 2013, for five years from then to support infrastructure and human resource development.It is said that Japan has disbursed US$3.5 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to support the implementation of some 617-development initiatives in Africa. This amount represents 25 percent of the US$14 billion in ODA committed at TICAD V as a part of the overall $32 billion that was pledged.

Given these figures, some of the civil society delegates at the June 9- 10, 2016 meeting in Nairobi while appreciative of Japan’s support, warned Africa against a mounting debt burden, and called instead for mobilisation of domestic resources to finance Africa’s development agenda. They said this can only be achieved if development partners such as TICAD support Africa to build industries that produce finished products in Africa and through promotion of intra-Africa trade and facilitation of technology and skills transfer.
Yet for Africa’s real situation, this is a mirage! As we left Nairobi in east Africa on June 11th for the ministerial meeting, I couldn’t help but notice the two-day journey to Banjul, The Gambia in West Africa via Morocco (north Africa) and what it actually implies for the ability of Africa’s aviation industry to contribute to GDP growth through the holding of international meetings.

Worse still was the open hostility light skinned Arabs at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca displayed towards black Africans. Perhaps this explains why Morocco is not a member of the African Union (AU) but wants to join the European Union. In fact, the countries of north Africa- Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia (which has softened its stance as a result of the Arab Spring) and Morocco- have for a long time deferred to the Arab League instead of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)- the AU’s predecessor. A lingua franca (common language) for Africa has also been yet another divisive factor in Africa’s quest for real and meaningful integration. While KiSwahili and any other African language were mentioned alongside English, French and Portuguese in the founding OAU Treaty, it’s an indictment on Africa’s integration agenda that over five decades later, no African language is recognised as a vehicle for integration in Africa.

Dukwi Refugee Camp leadership is said to have arrested and detained some of the Congolese leadership and threatened them with deportation after they requested that their fellow countrymen and women be given naturalisation.

This is said to have happened on the 2nd of this month during a meeting held at Dukwi Refugee Camp. A member of the delegation, which attended the meeting, told Botswana Guardian that they requested that they be given local integration but this did not sit well with the camp leadership and the refugees were told they should forget about such a request. Local integration is one of the three options that refugees are given. The other two are resettlement in a third country and repatriation back to their countries. Dukwi is said to have around 100 Congolese. A delegation of six Congolese is said to have proposed the meeting on workable solution regarding Congolese who have been in the camp for more than 16 years. UNHCR Regional representative, UNHCR- Botswana Chief of Mission, Dukwi Settlement Deputy Commandant and UNHCR Head of Field attended the meeting according to the source.

“The delegation raised various issues at the meeting, one of them being that they want local integration or naturalisation for some of the Congolese especially the ten families who have been in the country for over 16 years. This infuriated Dukwi Settlement, Deputy Commandant Fortunate Majingo.

He told the delegation that this would not happen and the only option they could be assisted with could be resettlement or be sent back home. Following this we were briefly detained and threatened that we would be deported back to our country. They told us at the meeting that this is Botswana’s position and they are protecting their small labour market,” said one of the members who attended the meeting. The Congolese community is said to have tried on several occasions in the past six months to engage the camp management with no luck.

The source said they were released later that day following the intervention of the UNHCR Head of Field Office, Benoit Hamenyimana and Dukwi Police.Botswana Guardian is in possession of a letter dated the 6th of June 2016 where the delegation expressed their grievances and displeasure at the way they were treated during the meeting. The letter has been addressed to Botswana Centre for Human Rights (Ditshwanelo) and copied to U.S Embassy, British High Commission, European Union, UNHCR Pretoria, UNHCR Geneva and Botswana Council of Churches among others.

In the letter the Congolese Community Leaders claim that they were unreasonably detained. They state that theirs was a genuine request but they were ill treated. They request Ditshwanelo’s intervention in the matter. Contacted Congolese Community Leaders Chairperson, Samuel Byamungu Nondo confirmed the meeting and that they have since written a letter to Ditshwanelo. He could not be drawn into discussing the matter further saying he is constrained to discuss with the media. Dukwi Settlement Deputy Commandant Fortunate Majingo claimed ignorance about events that unfolded at the meeting. He said he is also not aware of the letter of complaint written to Ditshwanelo. Ditshwanelo Public Relations Officer, Tlatsetso Badime was not available for comment as she was said to be in a meeting.

Debswana Managing Director, Balisi Bonyongo, has called on Botswana to prioritise innovative and skilled workforce in order to remain productive and competitive in the world.

“Our national imperatives must be to transform ourselves into a highly innovative, productive and resilient nation. This calls for citizens who are prepared to selflessly share their skills and knowledge with others collaborating within and outside their normal work environments.”

Bonyongo was addressing the annual Public Service Convention held recently at the Botswana Public Service College under the theme, ‘Innovation; The Key to Public Sector Modernisation’.Bonyongo said that as a nation, we must come to terms with the current reality that impedes our ability to achieve our future ambitions. He cited poor work ethics in the labour force and insufficient capacity to innovate as some of the challenges that contribute to subdued growth and diversification of our economy.

“We must, therefore introspect as a country on these challenges and be resolute in addressing them going forward,” he said.He also noted that areas such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could give the country endless opportunities. “Leading world economies have successfully implemented e-Government systems and have made use of ICT to enhance service delivery to the satisfaction of their publics.”

Bonyongo also took the time to share some innovative ideas that Debswana has developed to improve productivity and efficiency in the company. “We have put in place systems and processes to align the competencies, skills and aspirations of our people with our organisational needs, in order to create a conducive environment for innovation”.

The future of Tati Nickel mine (TNCM), which belongs to the trouble-prone BCL, is reportedly bleak as news of its imminent closure is already making rounds with fears that the mine could close for the next three months and employees forced to take unpaid leave.

Efforts to confirm from both the TNCM and BCL Public Relations Officers, Tebogo Rapitsenyane and James Molosankwe respectively drew blanks. Rapitsenyane could not pick his phone while Molosankwe referred this publication to the TNCM management for answers.
“BCL mine is a shareholder at Tati Nickel, but we cannot answer for the mine as it has its own managing structure,” said Molosankwe on Wednesday. The Minister responsible for minerals, Kitso Mokaila told this publication in a telephone interview that he could not comment since he was yet to brief his principals at a cabinet meeting this week.

Sources say the mine is broke and cannot meet its operational costs. “They have not been mining since January,” said a source. A source said the company has no source of income. “The only hope is for the government to bailout the mine,” said the source. However, the General Secretary of Botswana Mine Workers Union (BWMU), Mbiganyi Ramokate said that the union was in the dark about any closure although it would not surprise them.“They have a tendency of ambushing us with issues concerning employees. They once fabricated a story telling the Branch at Tati mine that they have consulted us about the retrenchments when they had not done so,” disclosed Ramokate.

He also revealed that some TNCM employees have been evacuated from Molapo Estates and contracts of about 96 employees have not been renewed. “Information reaching our office is that there has not been any mining activity since the year commenced,” Ramokate revealed. He also said if the allegations come to pass, about 705 employees who are still with the mine are bound to lose employment.

Botswana Guardian has been reliably informed that the management of the mine will meet with Cabinet today (Friday) to ask for financial assistance. At the commencement of this year, the mine was reportedly in serious debt, which resulted in one of its contractors (Moolman) pulling off their deal and in the process retrenching about 500 employees.

In April last year BCL mine spent P2.9 billion to buy all Norilsk Nickel African assets (three mines), which amongst them was TNCM, which had about 840 employees under its wing. According to media reports BCL’s aim to purchasing the mines was to drive its diversification and internationalization programme through its Polaris II Strategy.  

This programme aims to position BCL’s smelter as a prime regional asset, with capacity and ability to treat nickel concentrates from regional producers. Polaris II is also geared to exploit the significant mining and operational skills it has built up over a 40 year period, by entering into partnerships on top tier assets in Southern Africa and consolidate a stable operating base to build a regional company in the mining and treatment of base metals.

State investigators have indicated readiness for a looming trip to China in pursuit of investigation leads on the links and deals of the IRB Transport with the Asian giant. IRB Transport is a company owned by the Tati East legislator, Moyo Guma. State Prosecutor, Dumisani Marapo revealed this when appearing before Village Chief Magistrate, Mompati Taolo this week.

“We are currently waiting for them to respond so that our investigations team could go to China. Right now we are waiting for the documents to be translated into Chinese language,” said Marapo.In fact, the investigations have earned investigators a busy itinerary as they land in various international airports. Marapo says they have been to Zimbabwe where they got some response regarding the investigations. “We have written to South Africa and we are waiting for their response very soon and our team will go there once they give us the green light,” said Marapo.In his response, lawyer representing Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng, Doctor Pusoetsi fired salvo at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for delaying the matter. 

“What the applicant is doing is painful. They are busy enjoying the benefits of the extension of the rule nisi while they are not communicating with us as to what is happening. The investigators are not taking our calls and it shows that there is nothing in this case and the respondents are being denied access to their money,” argued Pusoetsi.The company’s accounts were frozen last year in May by both the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).In his affidavit submitted to the then former Village Chief Magistrate, Lenah Oahile-Mokibe on July 13 2015, Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive Officer Moatlhodi Lekaukau explained that on Thursday May 28 2015, the bank received a letter from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) advising that the agency has reasonable grounds to suspect that the account belonging to Guma’s company was involved in a financial offence.

“The account belonging to the 1st respondent (IRB Transport) and held with the 3rd Respondent (Standard Chartered Bank) Game City mall branch was involved in the commission of a financial offence as defined under the Financial Intelligence Act [Cap 08:07] (“FIA Act”), and thereby directing the bank to halt and/or not to proceed with any debit transaction relating to the account,” reads the CEO’s affidavit.

The amount of over P25 million was found in the company’s account. In 2013, Moyo Guma signed a consultancy agreement with Chinese multinational Sinohydro, which later won a $319million tender to expand the 300 MW Kariba South Hydro Power Station in Zimbabwe. Through his company, IRB, Guma has reportedly brokered multimillion Pula deals between several African governments and Chinese multinationals, in the process earning himself millions in consultancy fees.

He was the middleman when Sinohydro was contracted to build several infrastructure developments in Botswana, including the new Sir Seretse Khama Airport, Kang-Hukuntsi road, Dikgatlhong Dam, Lotsane dam and Francistown/Ramokgwebana road. Minister Olopeng’s involvement arose from his business dealing with Guma over a sale transaction of P3.4million from IRB Transport Cheque book. Olopeng sold his shareholding in Executive Closets lodge in Phase IV Gaborone to Guma. As a result, Olopeng’s accounts were also frozen.

Areport reaching Botswana Guardian ahead of the release of the financial results of National Development Bank (NDB), under the leadership of Lorato Morapedi, records a reduction in comprehensive loss from P87.million in March 2014 to P48. Million for the year ending 31 March 2015.

This is a 55 percent loss cut compared to the previous report. Financial experts say this is a clear sign of recovery and is mainly attributed to a reduced impairment charge compared to the previous period. Reliable sources say the results are ready and the bank has passed them to their principals and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) which is the parent ministry for further scrutiny. The MFDP will in turn pass the results to cabinet and later Parliament for final approval before being made public. Parliament’s next sitting is next month, July.

For the past few years the bank which is financed through the tax payer has been under tremendous pressure from government to perform and become profitable. Sources maintain that the turnaround strategy, adopted in 2015, has helped to change the bank’s fortunes back to profitability and operational efficiency. It said that the main focus in this plan is to focus on collecting overdue debts from defaulters in order to ease its liquidity challenges. Reliable sources indicate that the impact of the turnaround plan is within reach.

What is perhaps worth noting is the fact that the bank’s 2015 financial statements are being finalised outside the statutory period.  Information reaching this paper is that the delay was due to the delayed conclusion of the 2014 financial statements, which resulted in the 2015 audit starting late. It was further revealed that the bank decided to delay the conclusion of the audit to deal with most of the outstanding data issues that were revealed by the migration to the new IT system in 2014.

Total loans and advances increased from P1.30 million in March 2014 to P1.37 million in March 2015. Owing to the suppressed world and domestic economic activity, the bank’s assets have decreased marginally by 1.7 percent from P1.57 billion as at March 2014 to P1.54 billion as at 31 March 2015. According to information reaching our publication, the bank continues to place emphasis on improving its income generation, containing costs and reducing non-performing loans to return to profitability.

An expert source indicated that various key transformational projects the bank recently embarked on such as the rebranding exercise, branch refurbishment project and improving operational excellence are a positive good building ground to prepare the bank for commercialisation and privatisation.

Speaking to this publication on the reduction of the loss, NDB CEO Lorato Morapedi confirmed that indeed the bank has significantly reduced the loss of P87 million due to concerted efforts from the Board, management and staff, but was not in a position to discuss this in detail as the financial statements were still going through the necessary statutory reporting procedure.

Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) transmission Director Ncheba Mothebe says the nation will not experience power load-shedding this winter, thanks to the reduced demand from the mining sector whose performance is restrained due to the declining commodity price.

“People have been asking me why this time we have not had load shedding and the power is stable but this is because of the demand side from the mining sector which has gone down because of the low commodity price,” he said at the Botswana Resource Sector conference held in Gaborone.He added that some companies have closed down leading to less demand for energy in the country.

“Some of the mines in Botswana have closed while a company like Tati, its consumption has gone down to almost 10 percent because of the viability challenges in the sector. This year is fairly stable and this winter we will not load shed because the supply is high and the demand for power is low,” said Mothebe.

He added that even in the neighbouring South Africa, the demand for power is low resulting in surplus to export to the region including Botswana. Last year, Botswana, just like other countries in the region, was not  spared by the intermittent power cuts which affected production in the local industries.The power challenge hampered economic development significantly as business could not operate efficiently when there was a critical shortage of power and some had to use expensive power generators.

Mothebe also stated that as long as Morupule B power station is performing with two to three units, Botswana will not experience power challenges this winter period. Mothebe said to augment power deficit, most of the power is procured from the region, mainly SA’s Eskom but at times the company withdrew the supply when South Africa had power challenges.

The Minister of Transport and Communications Tshenolo Mabeo this week said his ministry has developed a Broadband strategy in an effort to address poor Internet services in the country.

Addressing parliament this week, Mabeo said this Strategy provides a holistic and coordinated approach to the implementation of the ICTs ecosystem in the country. “This strategy has been developed with a view to achieve long term strategic outcomes. The overall vision of the Broadband strategy is to connect every citizen, business, communities to a high speed broadband infrastructure at affordable prices.”

 Mabeo added that the monitoring of the strategy action plans and deliverables are regularly checked and evaluated. Moreover, he explained that   the issue of   the quality of Internet service was complex since there were many factors   involved. Mabeo  said some of these factors  included limited data speed and second generation (2G) mobile network, which   is widely available through the country. “There is also limited coverage of Third generation (3G) and Fourth Generation (4G) mobile networks, which offer   a better    Internet experience,” he said.

 Moreover, the Minister added that  there was limited access to networks, which connects customer premises to the telecommunication network. “Customers (hospitality facilities, residential and other businesses purchase lower data packages and share it among   many users.” The minister said another reason for this problem is   that some Public telecommunications operators and service providers experience congestion in Internet capacity that they have procured from wholesale providers.

“In order to keep on monitoring the quality of service to ensure the customer gets value for money the Botswana Communications and Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) has acquired a quality monitoring tool.” In addition, Mabeo said operators will use this tool to check the quality of services. “BOCRA   will   also continue with consumer education and awareness on issues of Quality of Services.” The minister was responding   to questions from the MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse who wanted to know whether, Mabeo was aware   of concerns over slow and erratic Internet in the country. Furthermore, Keorapetse wanted to know what caused this slow and unreliable Internet and when the issue will be addressed.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is troubled by reports that Zimbabwe is currently experiencing civil strife. The reason for these protests is the economic hardships being experienced by the majority of Zimbabwean citizens. 

This state of affairs has precipitated a series of spontaneous protests starting with demonstrations at Beit Bridge Boarder gate.  The UDC wishes to caution that if the civil strife engulfing the country is not contained and managed through conflict resolution mechanism, it could spill into other parts of the region.  

The only way for Zimbabwe to attain much needed peace is through dialogue.  The Zimbabwean government needs to engage all stakeholders such as political parties, civil society groups, churches, and different industry sectors to develop a road map towards both political and economic recovery.

For close to two decades now the political problems in Zimbabwe have led to a near economic blockage of the country.  Many international financiers and western governments have long imposed economic sanctions on the government led by Robert Mugabe. 

Consequently the Zimbabwean economy has over the years been in recession. It is common knowledge that the Zimbabwean dollar currency has collapsed some years ago leading to the country’s treasury sanctioning the use of multiple currencies. 

The situation is reportedly dire such that children do not go to school, hospitals are short of drugs and basic commodities are not easy to get in the country. Moreover, these circumstances have been exacerbated by the recent stoppage of imports of basic goods from South Africa. 

Dr Prince Dibeela, UCD Secretary for International Relations

Video conferencing has been an integral part of our business world for the better part of two decades. We are finally seeing high-definition video being adopted in scale by organisations and delivering very strong return on investment performance and productivity gains.

In Botswana the availability of high quality bandwidth at an affordable price through the likes of Bofinet is a major factor in adoption of high definition video conferencing together with the drop in pricing of the Video Conferencing equipment. Video has also played an important role in higher education, particularly in the university sector – but we haven’t seen it widely used in primary and secondary education networks until quite recently.

This past weekend at the WITD event at Thamaga Dimension Data Botswana demonstrated a Video Conferencing solution pilot that would be carried out in a number of schools in Southern Botswana before it is expanded to the rest of the country if successful. The solution is such that several schools are connected simultaneously via video and tutoring lessons delivered to pupils from a single point thus making it very cost effective while exposing the learners to the benefits of technology.

Declining pass rates in secondary schools country wide and in particular the subjects of Mathematics, Science and English created the platform to pilot the advantages of video conferencing technology as a teaching tool. The technology is used to complement the class room teacher based teachings and foster a learning community for students who would typically require additional tutoring in the subjects mentioned above.

Video conferencing will be a fantastic form of professional development for staff and an ideal way for students to interact with their peers attempting the same course from other schools. The connected schools will give the students a chance not only to compare themselves with students from other schools but also an opportunity to form working friendships and to help and support each other.  The technology will enable the students to develop a support network with other schools in the region/nationally and may make the students more competitive.

The video conferencing technology will offer teachers the ability to learn other techniques of teaching and the ability to experiment using new technologies such as using the camera on a whiteboard or using PowerPoint presentations. 
Dimension Data is very enthusiastic about the future use of the technology. I think it is a powerful resource that should be utilised among schools to enable students to interact with others from different schools, enable students to experience other teaching methods from various teachers, and also for teachers themselves to learn from other teachers.

The video conferencing enables this to happen very easily!!!PS: The Video Conferencing solution to the schools, dubbed Dimension Data Saturday School E-Learning programme internally, is part of the Dimension Data Heads, Heart and Hands (CSI) program and is offered at no cost to the schools. *Duncan Pie is the Managing Director at Dimension Data Botswana/Zambia.