Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana, Professor David Norris is pushing boundaries to market the University.

The University is this evening (Friday August 24, 2018) hosting its Alumni that hold lofty positions of Chief Executives of corporations , companies and parastatals both in the public and private sector as well as Permanent Secretaries.

The event is being held at the UB Conference Centre at the Gaborone campus. Prof. Norris emphasized the importance of engaging the University’s alumni, saying they are central in marketing the institution of higher learning not only as marketers, but also for advisory purposes.

In his quest to take the University to its stakeholders, Prof. Norris recently hosted the UB Alumni at his residence in Gaborone where he pleaded with the Alumni to promote the UB because they understand the institution better.

Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse has blamed government for the closure of BCL on not treating it as a parastatal or public enterprise.

In a letter he wrote to President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the MP argues that from the start there was a strong developmental role for BCL identified by government and from the outset, the government has been the custodian of BCL’s financial security. According to Keorapetse BCL was never formally a parastatal or public enterprise.

“But even when there were significant private sector shareholders in the early years, the government structured BCL in such a way to set it up as a recipient of government funds or funds raised by the government indirectly for the entity. The company was never set up as a normal commercial enterprise, with the flexibility necessary to be able to raise other money and determine its own financial fate.

“It was an immensely complicated financial structuring, enshrining BCL as a unique entity, and a bulwark of the country’s economy and the mainstay of the Selibe-Phikwe town’s economy,” reads the letter seen by this publication.
Keorapetse pointed out that in exchange for the implicit and explicit backing of government – the government never showed any intention other than to roll over BCL’s debts to the state.He stated that BCL became dedicated to providing a functioning operation that provided 5000 jobs directly and 10 000 indirectly. 

He reveals in the letter that the debts were more akin to grants, thus entrenching the reality in the minds of the company, the government, Selibe-Phikwe residents and Batswana, that BCL occupied a special, protected place in the Botswana economy.
The legislator said from 2002 onwards, government increased its influence to complete control and ownership of the company, which crystallized with 100 percent control in 2008 after the departure of all external funders (they received about 5 percent of the nominal value of the debt owed to them - effectively, a full write-off).

“In the years that metal prices were high BCL managed to build up some cash. In the days when there was more private sector influence at BCL, these proceeds from the good times were used to invest in the company. This practice, built up over almost half a century, changed radically in 2014. It is important to note, that contrary to popular perception, BCL was in fact not given any money by government from 2002 onwards – all the debts dated before then.

The company had not been an active drain on the fiscus for 14 years when it was put into liquidation in 2016. By 2014, after the preceding price boom years, BCL built up its cash reserves.

It should have been allowed to use this money to invest in the business, for the inevitable downturn in prices – like it had before,” he posited Keorapetse pleaded with Masisi to make time to visit Phikwe and engage with fellow countrymen and women. “Please note that this letter will be shared with my constituents as these are their requests,” he said.

Justice Modiri Letsididi of Lobatse High Court is expected to preside over a dispute over the chieftaincy of Omaweneno village near Tsabong.The dispute stems from disagreements among the Bimbo royal house over who the legitimate heir to the throne is.

Members of the royal family have filed court papers, each claiming legitimacy to the chieftaincy. However questions are being raised regarding an answering affidavit deposed by the director of the Department of Tribal Administration, Masego Mooketsi. 
The residents were eagerly waiting for Kgosi Sam Bimbo to hand over the throne to what they call the rightful heir, Paul Bimbo, but his contract as Headman of Record was extended for another year. 

The issue dates back from 2015 when some family members of the Bimbo royal house requested government intervention as they argued that Sam was only a regent and should pave way for Paul Bimbo.In an affidavit filed before court, Paul Bimbo argues that he is the eldest surviving son of the late Stephen Bimbo who was the Headman of Omaweneno village.

“The Omaweneno village was founded and established by my late great grandfather Samuel January Bimbo…In terms of tradition it is the eldest male sibling who succeeds to chieftainship when the seat becomes vacant due to death or other reasons,” he argues.
He notes that Samuel January Bimbo handed over the throne to his eldest son, the late Jonas Bimbo when he passed on.

Jonas handed the chieftaincy to his eldest son Stephen Bimbo in 1978 due to old age.  Stephen passed on in 1986 when his children were still considered too young and not matured enough to take over from their late father. According to documents, a decision was then made by the Bimbo family to install Azaria Bimbo on an acting capacity for Stephen Bimbo’s children.

Azaria was the eldest son to Edward Bimbo, younger brother to Jonas Bimbo. When Azaria died in 1995 his younger brother, Sam (the current Headman) was appointed, also on acting basis for Stephen Bimbo’s children.Meanwhile, the Director at the Department of Tribal Administration, Masego Mooketsi, has disputed the facts as presented by Paul Bimbo and posits that Sam Bimbo was never appointed as a regent but duly appointed as headman of record in Omaweneno village.

She argues that the applicant is concealing facts in order for him to fraudulently present himself as the most senior descendant of Stephen Bimbo and to mislead the court. “In actual fact the Applicant has to my knowledge 3 full siblings…. Ezekiel who was the eldest has two children who have attained the age of majority,” she argues.

In the same breath Mooketsi tells the court in her affidavit that Paul’s mother was not legally married to Stephen Bimbo, and in terms of the Baherero of Omaweneno culture there is no way he can be a headman. “Applicant has two half siblings whose mother was legally married to Stephen Bimbo,” she posits.

However, some within the feuding family have not taken kindly to the Director’s statement and came short of accusing her of lying under oath.The family wrote to the director and questioned how she wrote about the late Kgosi Stephen Bimbo’s children and even claimed that Paul was born out of wedlock.

“It is so unfortunate for an officer of your caliber to confidently write about things that she does not know without seeking clarity first. We consider this as an insult to our Kgosi Stephen Bimbo and it is against our traditional customs,” reads part of the letter.
Meanwhile 80-year old Norah Kalako who is Paul’s mother deposed of an affidavit before court confirming her marriage to Stephen Bimbo. Harriet Bimbo, who was second wife to Stephen, also wrote an affidavit supporting the claims. Other members of the community also wrote supporting affidavits.

On the other hand Sam Bimbo, the current Headman of Record, has argued that the Applicant has no legal standing to bring the application, as he does not belong to the Bimbo family. He also argues in his affidavit that in 1995 the Bimbo royal family met and decided that he should take over the chieftainship as the younger brother to the deceased chief, Azaria. “I was never appointed by the royal house or the government as a regent or in an acting capacity,” he says.

Over the past two decades the financial services industry has not promoted any meaningful citizen participation, this is according to new entrant in the market Fiducia, a pension fund administration company.

Thapelo Matsheka, Chief Executive of Fiducia said the economy and the country has not sufficiently tapped and mined the significant long term domestic capital generated by the pensions industry as is the case elsewhere within Africa and Europe, in the last 20 years.
Dr. Matsheka is not new to citizen empowerment drive, having been at the helm of government’s entrepreneurship scheme – Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA) for over six years from 2003 to 2010.

Citing the NBFIRA 2017 Annual Report, Dr. Matsheka highlighted that as at 31 December 2016, pension assets were P75.1 billion, which accounts for 44 percent of GDP at market prices and that 63 percent of the retirement fund assets were invested offshore as at 31 December 2016. He said the data illustrates the general tendency and preference for offshore investments at the expense of local infrastructure development.

“Whilst there is indeed a strong case for diversification across both asset classes and a geographical region, as a risk mitigation strategy, Fiducia is convinced that the offshore exposures are way too high,” said Dr. Matsheka.He bemoaned that the retirement funds industry’s investments in local direct property were less than one percent of total pension assets.

Dr. Matsheka also warns of lack of innovation by the industry in aggressively exploring local alternative investment to spur local economic activity and job creation. “A platform has to be created for the Trustees to influence decisions made by the various asset managers with a core interest to develop and sustain entrepreneurial capacity that exists within Botswana, investigate and fund necessary national programmes, subject to such investments meeting the Fund’s investment criteria on yields and risk in line with the investment policy of each Fund,” he said.

Dr. Matsheka said Fiducia is advocating for a more deliberate and active participation by local institutional investors, through impact driven investment strategies and a more deliberate thrust in supporting citizen entrepreneurship.“We thus believe that we can do more for local citizen empowerment and also for the development of Botswana,” said Dr. Matsheka.

Turning to efficiency and growth of the pension fund administration industry, he said lack of competition has resulted in concentration challenges and lack of choice by boards of trustees leading to entrusting fund administration to two entities.He said this has led to quality of administration service being poor and high error rates, compromising data integrity with huge operational risks as quality of data informs benefit payouts as well as formulation of various policy decisions by the board, investment policy, and actuarial reviews, among others.

Fiducia is the first citizen owned pension fund administration entity now competing with other international companies in the local pension industry where Aon and Alexander Forbes have been offering services.

The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has hatched a plan to place its loss making Francistown plant under care and maintenance to save the parastatal a whopping P35 million annually.Brian Dioka, BMC spokesperson said the decision is in line with efforts to reengineer the company into a profit-making entity.

According to Dioka, the BMC’s Francistown abattoir gobbles over P40 million annually in cash losses while placing the plant under care and maintenance will require P5 million annually thereby saving P35 million per year. Dioka said the beef producer will look into positions available within its three plants – Lobatse, Maun and Francistown - to absorb employees on shutting down of operations in Francistown.

“Our shareholder (government) has approved our request and assigned us (management) to go and restructure BMC, consultations with internal stakeholders are ongoing to find a common ground including negotiations with workers union,” said Dioka highlighting that government has given BMC management budget in excess of P30 million for the restructuring.

The restructuring exercise is expected to be complete by end of August and once the Francistown plant is under care and maintenance, it will act as backup facility for the Lobatse plant. Quizzed on potential retrenchments, Dioka remained cagey and said consultations with internal stakeholders will guide the restructuring process. 

“Not everyone will be absorbed, but we have employees that are almost reaching retirement and others that will voluntarily opt for packages. We cannot deny that people may be affected, the biggest casualty is inefficiency and multi- activities,” said Dioka. “We are not restructuring to retrench but to make BMC efficient,” he added. Dioka is optimistic that BMC could finally be saying goodbye to losses and inefficiency after restructuring.

“We could get the profits that Batswana have been yearning for at BMC,” said Dioka. He said the farming community should also play part in making the company profitable. Botswana Meat Industry Workers Union Chairman, Negro Thebe told this publication that as far as he knows the restructuring exercise has been put on hold until the BMD Board scrutinises the whole process.

Thebe explained that during consultations it has been agreed that the board would have to scrutinise the exercise to ensure that everything is done by the book and no one is disadvantaged by the process. “As the union we believe that following the closure of the Francistown plant some of the 241 employees there should be considered for absorption in Lobatse looking at their skill and experience.

We had about 153 temporary employees who were engaged and their contracts have since come to an end and we believe there could still be room to accommodate most of the staff from Francistown plant. In Lobatse we have about 41 employees who are not fit for work due to ill health and our contention is that they have to be given a good package as and when they are relieved of their duties,” Thebe revealed expressing faith that the negotiations which are currently progressing will end on a good note.

Currently BMC records P80 million to P90 million losses attributed to opportunistic diseases like measles. Meanwhile privatisation of BMC is ongoing following approval by government in March 2018. PEEPA is looking at the best method to commercialise BMC whose main active plant, Lobatse, is old and may not attract sizeable equity once put up for privatisation.

Jonathan Raheem Hosseini, the Chief operations Officer (COO) of Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) who was suspended pending investigation has been cleared of all charges.

However, BG News has reliably learnt that BPC is under the investigation radar of both the parent ministry and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) both of whom are doing their independent investigations.Hosseini was the subject of a forensic investigation by Deloitte which was instituted by the board following a tip-off from a whistleblower. Amongst the allegations was that Hosseini was and remained a director of a family company named Tobela Solar Power (Pty) LTD when he joined BPC on 22nd May, 2017.

Records show that he only resigned on 1st September 2017. Tobela was awarded a 1 Megawatt (MW) solar power pilot project in the Shoshong constituency. Tobela was formerly known as Vase Settings Propriety Limited before it changed on 31st May, 2017 according to their certificate of incorporation. 

In early September 2017, Directors of Tobela were listed as Morteza H Abkenari and Lister Tlale with the third being Jonathan Raheem Husseini who resigned on 1st September 2017. There was also talk of extending the tender to make it a 5MW. The Board and Human Resources Committee (BHRC) took issue with this and decided to suspend or lay Husseini on administrative leave pending the Deloitte forensic investigations.

Speaking to Botswana Guardian on the sidelines of a press conference of his ministry at Avani hotel, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Eric Molale confirmed that the investigation on the COO has been concluded but, “they have not reported to me”.

But Molale said there were also other things that he needs to investigate, such as policy issues around Citizen Economic Empowerment. “If you take the North West Transmission line, BPC says it has complied with the requirements. I am saying no, so I have to then satisfy myself at that level to ensure that the citizen empowerment requirements of a huge project like those are actually investigated and I get a good picture of what is happening”.

He confirmed that the DCEC has received reports and are also making their own investigations, but could not share details citing the stringent DCEC modus operandi. However, he said this does not stop him from moving ahead to try and “remove pains that may be there at BPC”.

Asked if he had appointed any committee to investigate the BPC, Molale said, “No, It is an internal thing, and actually I am going to be visiting the project maybe in the next two weeks to also have first hand information and impressions on the ground”.
Hosseini could not be drawn to say if he was back at work citing company policy, which says that all company information is released by the Marketing and Communication Officer, Dineo Seleke or the CEO, Dr Stephan Schwartzfischer.

Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) leadership team that lost its case against union President Masego Mogwera has filed appeal papers with the court, Botswana Guardian has learnt.

The factions within the union leadership have resulted in a legal battle which has pitted BOPEU as 1st Applicant followed by Ogaufi Masame, Zibani Philemon, Mosalagae Tlhako and Motswaledi Monaiwa against National Office Bearers (NOB) members being union President Mogwera as 1st Respondent followed by Tlhabologo Galekhutle (Treasurer), Martin Gabobake (1st Deputy President), Topias Marenga (General Secretary) and Ketlhapelang Karabo (Deputy General Secretary).

Following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last month at Cresta Lodge in Gaborone, Mogwera and team were suspended pending investigation. Philemon was subsequently appointed acting president. Mogwera’s team in turn declared a state of emergency and suspended Philemon and crew. NOB members are also part of the NEC. Philemon and crew approached the court on urgency to hear the matter.

Sources close to the development have revealed that Philemon’s team has been working round the clock with their lawyers since last week Friday’s judgment to appeal the decision by Lobatse High Court Judge, Godfrey Nthomiwa who agreed with Mogwera that the matter brought before him to forcibly remove her and the NEC from office was not urgent and that it was not brought properly before him.

The judge dismissed the application on urgency despite the interim committee having indicated that the union president was suspended in order for investigations to be carried without interference. According to information gathered by this publication, Mogwera and team were to be served with appeal papers between Wednesday and yesterday (Thursday).

Speaking to this publication Philemon said they are still weighing their options. He indicated that their lawyers are still scrutinising the judgment and would advise accordingly. Philemon explained that they still believe that they are the legitimate leadership because a lawfully constituted meeting had suspended Mogwera and team.

He said if not attended the matter might bring more harm to the union than it could ever be imagined. Philemon said all they want is to protect the integrity of ‘the union of choice’.In his judgment Justice Nthomiwa indicated that the matter is not urgent and the applicants are not entitled to the relief of the interim interdict they sought.

He explained that the matter is not properly brought before court by way of motion proceedings instead of being brought by way of action.Nthomiwa said because of the suspension of the applicants, they could not bring proceedings on behalf of BOPEU in so far as the change made in the composition of the NEC was in violation of legal framework governing Trade Unions.

He said it was on that basis that the applicants lacked the necessary legal standing to bring the current proceedings for and on behalf of BOPEU. The court also declined to have an audio recording from the Cresta meeting as part of the proceedings.Mogwera and team were suspended for failure to observe Articles 53.1 and 53.2 of the Union Constitution respectively, which speak of the secondment and remuneration of office bearers (president and treasurer general) as well as sanctioning the implementation of the new BOPEU structure.

They refused to vacate their seats saying only the congress can remove them. That is when Mogwera declared a state of emergency and suspended the interim committee, forcing them to take the legal route. Philemon and team are likely to face a disciplinary hearing anytime soon, however he told Botswana Guardian that they have not yet received any letters warning them about any pending disciplinary hearing. “We are waiting for such letters and they know where to find us if they want to take that route,” he stated.

While President Mokgweetsi Masisi who is also leader of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has vowed to fight corruption, more rot is emerging in his backyard (BDP), Botswana Guardian has established.

In a leaked audio conversation between one of Masisi’s camp associates and long serving cabinet member Shaw Kgathi and a council candidate in his constituency it was revealed that many of the Bulela-Ditswe candidates have criminal records. This means there could be more criminals within the BDP and government (Councillors, Members of Parliament and Ministers).

BDP is holding its last batch of Bulela-Ditswe tomorrow (Saturday) where over 100 participants are expected to participate in the primaries. In the audio telephonic conversation that this publication has, Kgathi who is Minister of Defence, Justice and Security also BDP Deputy Secretary General revealed to Daniel Magwana - a council candidate for Molalatau Ward in Bobonong Constituency, that most of the candidates for tomorrow’s primaries have criminal records.

In that conversation in which the two conversing call each other by names and, uncle and nephew, Kgathi was requesting Magwana to pull out of the race to allow his (Kgathi) long time ally and current Molalatau Councillor Nathaniel Moribame to run unchallenged.Kgathi in the conversation also took a swipe at his challenger, mining consultant and former Debswana engineer, Francisco Kgoboko.

He accused Kgoboko of having no credentials and also having a criminal record. He wants Magwana who is allegedly supporting Kgoboko to ditch him and team up with Kgathi’s camp. Kgathi and Kgoboko have had skirmishes in the past after Kgathi had accused Kgoboko of campaigning illegally.

The audio conversation is said to have ruffled feathers following the utterances by Kgathi who is a senior cabinet member and member of the BDP Central Committee.News within the BDP corridors suggests that the thorough vetting process that the central committee ought to have conducted was not done.

BDP had during declaration of interest to contest in Bulela-Ditswe made a requirement for their parliamentary and council candidates to have an affidavit signed by the police clearing them of not having criminal records.
BDP Secretary General Mpho Balopi told the media that they want credible candidates for the 2019 election.

Balopi was reported to have indicated that they also want affidavits from their candidates to also check whether the information they provided while registering as candidates at regions is correct. He indicated that they want those who will occupy national leadership positions within the party to be very credible.

It has been argued that Kgathi as senior party member could have not just have made false utterances that have no basis. Reached for comment, Magwana indicated that time and again he has conversations with Kgathi as a relative and his area MP. He confirmed that he once had such a conversation with Kgathi about him compromising which is not anything new within the party and it has been encouraged that members should for the sake of the party always consider compromise.

He however expressed shock that their conversation was recorded. “I do not know anything about a recording. I wonder who could have recorded that. It comes as a surprise for me to hear someone from Gaborone telling me that they have a conversation of mine with my MP on audio. Maybe you could ask the minister if he so did record me,” said Magwana who stated that he could not discuss the matter further because he has flu and losing his voice.

For his part Kgoboko dismissed the allegations by this publication regarding the audio as a mere smear campaign. He expressed doubt that Kgathi as his elder, area MP, minister and his party’s Deputy Secretary General would make such utterances. “I guess you guys might be just making it up. There is no how I could have a criminal record while I filled an affidavit declaring that I do not have a criminal record but if the minster made such utterances it would be unfortunate.

“My credentials also speak for themselves. I do not think Kgathi would talk like that because membership registration, registration for candidature among other things falls under the office of the secretary general where he is a deputy. So these things could have been picked plus he has advantage of police to have investigated or better still approached me as my elder,” said Kgoboko.

When contacted, Kgathi who at the time was addressing his campaign team denied ever having a conversation with Magwana. He said because of obvious reasons that he is not in the same team with Magwana he could not have had such a conversation with him. He requested that the audio be shared with him to ascertain it is his voice on the conversation which was done via WhatsApp. During a follow-up call Kgathi said he was driving and should be contacted after an hour.

For his part, BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi indicated that it would be unfortunate if some people would have managed to be vetted in while having criminal records. The SG said they do not run the party through rumour-mongering and allegations. “We are a law abiding organisation and if someone has wronged the state and laws do not allow for that person to stand for elections such as IEC laws we would not allow that person to contest for our primaries.

This is why we made people to sign affidavit to declare that they do not have criminal records. I do not have the benefit of your alleged conversation but it would be unfortunate for that to have happened”.

What is good for the goose must certainly be good for the gander but it will seem this does not apply in the case of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s (CPA) elections. There was hue and cry last week Tuesday when it emerged that the rules of the elections were being blatantly flouted by the same legislators who should be their custodians.

In this gathering, the level of debate was poor. Some delegates from lower structures such as provincial parliaments which are equivalent to councils in Botswana, appeared lost and their conduct  was un-parliamentary .The situation became clear during debates that the outcome of key vacant executive positions were long determined and all that was needed was a formality to justify the  elections.

The key positions which were up for grabs were for the Chairperson of the Society of Clerks- at the Table (SOCATT) Africa Region and those of Chairman of the CPA Africa and Treasurer.

Constitution
Delegates proposed for an amendment on the 19th August proposing to amend Article 46. The General meeting adopted the proposed amendment and inserted a new sub- article which provides a rotation of branch representation within sub regions. The AGM resolved that the amendments should be implemented with immediate effect.

But the executive committee met the next day and reflected on the decision of the AGM, observing that notices of the vacancies were issued in accordance with Article 47 of the constitution before the amendments were adopted.  They claimed that the enforcements were made on August 19 to affect the elections slated for 21 August when the process regarding the elections was started over 60 days ago would mean allowing the amendments to operate retrospectively from the date of the declaration of the vacancies.

They further argued that no modalities exist to implement the new decision of rotation system. Based on that, the executive committee overruled the AGM. But, still the three executives refused to budge claiming that they had received legal advice from someone that they never mentioned. They further appeared to have connived with some members to support them during debate.

Those who were against argued that the 60-day notice was meant to notify the members that there were existing vacancies and it does not mean interested parties should submit their names then.

Botswana robbed
Ironically, the executives applied double standards as they took the decision knowing that during the elections for the chairpersonship of SOCATT they had agreed that the 60-day notice would not apply. At that time Botswana was the only country which had complied through the clerk of the national Assembly, Barbra Ditlhapo who had submitted her name for the position of chairperson.

Instead the executive agreed that a name of Zambian clerk of the national assembly, Cecilia Mbewe be submitted and she later relegated Ditlhapo to become the Central Africa representative. But when it was time for the CPA elections the executive committee insisted that the status qou should remain leading to the Speaker of Kenya Justin Muturi taking over as the chairperson and Vice Treasurer being handed to a Ugandan MP, Elija Okupo.

Intimidation
There was intimidation even from South Africa. A member of the provincial parliament told MP for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi that he is out of order when he tried to set the record straight.Speaking to Botswana Guardian Mmolotsi said it has become apparent that there is one or two countries that are dominating the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association committees and sub- committees. 

“The delegates decided at the AGM that these positions should be rotated for, countries must rotate in these positions so that they should not be any one or two countries domineering.  “We came up with a resolution as the AGM that we should start rotating with immediate effect.

Now the Regional Executive Committee because they do not want that rotation to take effect immediately, then decided to go and hold a meeting at which meeting they said the constitution  talks about 60-days notice of vacancies just purely to notice that there are vacancies available,” he said. According to him Article 47 of the constitution states that: a notice should be sent 60 days before the general annual meeting. 

That notice was set, but they want to misinterpret it to say even nominations should be received in 60 days, but that is not in the constitution.

“What happened was that because they had already determined who is going to become the chairperson  and other portfolios, they then decided that against the decision of the AGM that now the 60 days  notice will apply and if your name was not nominated then you would not take part in those elections”. Meanwhile, at SOCATT at the time of 60 days only, Barbra Ditlhapo’s name appeared but “when they got here, they connived to take her out and replaced her with the name of the Zambian clerk, which is why we are saying at SOCATT they used different rules and this side they used different, whilst the bodies are the same as it is CPA roles, but because it was not favouring them they decided to say the 60-day does not apply”.  This is the second time that countries turned against Botswana.

Many of them supported the candidacy of  Dr Phenyo Butale for the presidency  of the Pan African Parliament, but at the last moment , South Africa allegedly led the de-campaign of  Butale in support of Zimbabwe.

Incumbent Member of Parliament for Tati East Guma Moyo brushed aside a challenge from his bitter rival Sean Sebele in the past weekend Bulela Ditswe, polling 2730 votes against Sebele’s 1929.

The other contender, Kurusa trailed behind with 400 voters. Guma’s victory defied the mood expressed by Botswana Democratic Party electorate ahead of the primaries. There had been complaints that Guma rarely holds kgotla meetings to address issues of national developments in the constituency and hence must be voted out.

The MP has admitted in previous interviews that he has his own style of addressing issues in his constituency apart from kgotla meeting, but it seems this did not sit well with the electorate.In Tsamaya – Guma’s home village – voters threw their lots behind Sebele who hails from Senyawe village. Sebele amassed 174 votes against Guma’s 160.

However, residents of Mabudzane village which forms part of Tsamaya ward voted in large numbers for Guma giving him his first-ever win in his home village.  In Themashanga village Guma recorded a lead of 200 votes against his contender - a decisive stroke that dashed Sebele’s hopes of reaching the 2019 general election.

But in Butale, Senyawe, Ditladi and Tati Siding West, Guma trailed behind Sebele. Following Guma’s victory, disappointed voters who had expected him to lose, vowed to get him during the next general election where he will be pitted against a candidate from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Central Committee and Electoral Board failed Bulela Ditswe candidates in the primaries that were held this past weekend, Botswana Guardian can reveal.The BDP conducted primaries in 40 constituencies where over 1000 candidates participated.

The publication has discovered that even though the central committee and Electoral Board promised to deliver a credible election during the 11th August 2018 Palapye consultative meeting, it was a different story on the ground when primaries were finally conducted.
Prior to the Palapye meeting there were complaints about the voters’ rolls.

Names of voters were missing while others had their names moved from their polling stations to others. Some of the people were not in the voters’ roll even though they had proof that they have registered.BDP Secretary General Mpho Balopi told the Palapye meeting and subsequently a press conference on that day that they together with the Electoral Board would ensure that all the outstanding issues would have been resolved by the time the primary elections are held.

He stated that most of the problems raised by candidates would be addressed through resolutions that were taken during the meeting at Majestic Five in Palapye. “We have decided that people who appear in the voters’ roll but do not have membership cards would be allowed to vote using Omang.

This is because the number in the Omang card is the same that appears in the membership card. We have also set up our polling stations in such a way that a person would not be able to vote more than once which is why we have also introduced the use of ink for the voters. So through the assessing of complaints, we have discovered that some of them would be addressed by these decisions,” Balopi pointed out.

Balopi revealed that complaints that would not be addressed through these resolutions the Central Committee and Electoral Board had resolved that Political Education and Elections Committee and a special team would be assigned to those constituencies. “No one would be sidelined and we will ensure free and fair elections,” posited Balopi. An observation by this publication during the primaries has proved that the party leadership failed dismally to do what it had committed to do.

Final voters’ rolls that were used during voting still came with some names missing. Some people who had proof that they have registered were denied to vote because they did not appear in the voters’ rolls. This proved to be a difficult exercise as candidates and polling agents had different stories to tell to one another.

Some candidates were explaining what was communicated during the Palapye meeting while the polling agents indicated that they have been instructed to work within the limits of what they have been mandated to do which was to ensure that only people in the voters’ rolls should be allowed to vote.

This has culminated in most of the candidates - both council and Parliamentary - indicating that they do not accept the outcome of the elections. They argue that there were irregularities in the conduct of the elections. The most affected are those who were incumbent for council and parliament where others were ministers.

BDP Electoral Board Chairman Peter Siele told this publication in an interview that he could not comment on the matter because his committee is still compiling reports from returning officers on the elections. He said his committee which is the sub-committee of the party Central Committee was scheduled to meet yesterday (Thursday) in the morning to make final scrutiny on the report.

“After looking at reports from returning officers we would then look at other issues that have been raised and come up with our report as the committee. After doing that we would then meet with party Chairman who is also Vice President Slumber Tsogwane and map a way forward. Until then there is nothing tangible that could be shared at this point,” said Siele.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) President Advocate Duma Boko has indicated that they are still waiting for the letter from Registrar of Societies confirming the error communicated in the letter dismissing UDC as a party.

The Registrar of Societies, Davids Okello-Wengi wrote to the UDC Secretary General in response to the two constitutions submitted by the warring parties within the UDC. Responding to the submitted constitutions the Registrar said that UDC is not a political party but a cooperation agreement by the four political parties for a common political goal.

“All four parties are listed in the schedule, therefore, in our opinion, the registration of UDC’s Constitution falls outside the scope of the Act,” reads the letter in part which some within the UDC have described as confusing.Advocate Boko said the response by the Registrar was contradictory and they had to meet face to face with Attorney General to clear the matter. He said that is time they discovered that the utterances by the Registrar that UDC was not a party should not have been made.

Okello-Wengi described in the letter that the term “society” is defined in Section 3 of the Act to exclude any political party listed in the Schedule of the Act. The Registrar listed the political parties in the Schedule to the Act as BMD, BCP, BPP and BNF. “Therefore, the registration of political parties falls outside the scope of the Act,” reads the letter dated 13 August 2018.Advocate Boko said that during the engagement with the Registrar and AG it was agreed that the response was erroneous.

“They said the last part of the letter was not in order. It was at that meeting that even the AG discovered ambiguity of the Societies Act and has promised to attend to it. It was disrespectful of the Registrar to have written the letter in such a manner. “We were not submitting a new Constitution but we were submitting amendments to the UDC 2012 Constitution. That 2012 UDC Constitution has transitional clause which allows us to make amendments that is as simple as that.

There is no confusion or what-so-ever”, The UDC leader stated. He said they have told the Registrar to write another letter to clear the air because it seems people have been confused by the letter from Registrar.The Constitution which has been submitted to Registrar of Societies has divided the four UDC constituents- Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP).

BCP and BNF are in one corner pitted against BMD and BPP in another corner as they oppose the submitted constitution. Both BCP and BNF set themselves targets during their respective Conferences last month. BNF resolved that having noted that the new UDC Constitution has been filed with the Registrar of Societies the BNF should ensure that the process is concluded within twenty-one (21) days.

The BCP on the other hand resolved that having been appraised and deliberated thereof on the developments within the UDC collective, conference resolved to remain in the UDC, but directed that due to limited time before registration of the general election, all outstanding matters within the UDC should be resolved by mid-August 2018.Addressing a political rally in Gabane this past weekend, Advocate Boko called for calm within the coalition movement.

He said BCP is a bonafide member of the UDC and wondered what the confusion was. He told the rally that the BMD leader Advocate Sidney Pilane has bowed himself and indicated that he would listen to Advocate Boko as the party leader. “Advocate Pilane has told me that I should speak and he would listen. He would follow my instructions. Let us refrain from attacking him because he has made it clear to me that he wants to work with us to liberate Batswana. If he is ready to work with us, why should we always attack him?” asked Advocate Boko.

The UDC leader dismissed claims that he is afraid of Advocate Pilane. He said none of the insinuations should be taken seriously. He pointed out that they have even fought their legal wars at court but that should not divide them. Advocate Boko said differences within the UDC leadership should not be treated as fights.“We will always differ but at the end we would come to an agreement,” he said. For his part Advocate Pilane said presidents of the four contracting partners should sign for the amendments to be incorporated into the constitution.

He said the signing should be done as a matter of urgency. The BMD leader however cautioned that the signing should not be just for the sake of signing. He posited that every party that signs should do so with commitment that all the UDC candidates would be supported and voted for by all UDC members regardless of the party they come from.

There has been talk that some members of BCP and BNF have vowed not to support BMD candidates during the 2019 general election. The argument has been that BMD do not have credible candidates to win elections for UDC.

Justice Singh Walia of the Court of Appeal has directed that the power struggle between Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) National Executive Committee (NEC) be heard today (Friday).

Justice Walia directed through a letter dated August 23rd 2018 that the parties file their papers starting Monday this week until Thursday. The legal battle has pitted BOPEU as 1st Applicant followed by Ogaufi Masame, Zibani Philemon, Mosalagae Tlhako and Motswaledi Monaiwa against union President Masego Mogwera as 1st Respondent followed by Tlhabologo Galekhutle (Treasurer), Martin Gabobake (1st Deputy President), Topias Marenga (General Secretary) and Ketlhapelang Karabo (Deputy General Secretary).

Philemon and team are appealing a decision by Lobatse High Court Judge Godfrey Nthomiwa dismissing their urgent application to remove Mogwera and crew from office and uphold their suspension. Philemon and team have since filed their notice of motion to appeal with the court. In the notice of motion, the applicants want the decision of the court a quo dated the 17th August 2018, dismissing the application of the Appellants with costs be set aside.

They want it to be replaced with a rule nisi calling upon all the Respondents to show cause why an order should not be made declaring the decision of the NEC made at the meeting of the 28th July 2018, suspending Mogwera and team pending investigation and possible disciplinary action for unauthorised secondment remuneration.

Another requested order is for court to direct Mogwera and team to vacate BOPEU premises and an order directing and authorising a deputy sheriff of the court with the assistance of the police to escort them out of BOPEU premises in the event they fail to comply.
In the grounds of appeal papers seen by this publication they argue that the Judge erred by holding that the Appellant has failed to establish the requisites of urgency whereas the same were established. 

“The matter is urgent because there is a fierce struggle over who is legitimate to govern the Union, due to the fact that there is being suspension and counter suspension by members of the NEC of BOPEU,” they argue.

Philemon, who is a member of the NEC of BOPEU by virtue of his position as the Gaborone Region 3 Regional Chairperson, was appointed as the acting president, Ogaufi Masame as the acting 1st Deputy President, Eronah Kolobetso as the acting 2nd Deputy President, Kebonyemodisa Watota as the acting general secretary and Mosalagae Tlhako as the acting Treasurer General and Emmanuel Tlale as the acting deputy secretary general.

Less than a year in operation, the controversial Botswana Defence Force fleet of Landrovers bought for P161 million from the United Kingdom is facing mechanical challenges.

The 500 second-hand Land Rover 110 Defenders started arriving in the country during the last quarter of last year in batches via Namibia. The last batch is allegedly expected to arrive this year. The procurement of the obsolete vehicles was allegedly spearheaded by Office of the President early last year and BDF played no major role save for viewing and collection at Witham (Specialist Vehicles) Ltd - a UK second seller.

Although the OP refuted playing part in the agreement to purchase units of the Defenders LR110 4×4 SUV for the BDF, at a cost of P161.9 million, it has been at the centre of the controversial procurement. According to sources at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (BDF Headquarters) the Landrovers have now become a liability to the BDF within a short space of time. It is alleged that most of the Landrovers which were dispatched in areas such as Plateau and Linyanti have broken down and were towed back to Kasane. The vehicles were dispatched for patrols in those areas.

BDF Director, Directorate of Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole has confirmed that the Landrovers are experiencing mechanical problems. “BDF last year procured what is labeled as EXCESS DEFENCE EQUIPMENT from the United Kingdom (UK) Military. Excess Defence Equipment is equipment disposed by an army, in this case the UK Army as a result of downsizing.

“This equipment ranges from never used to hardly used. Some of the Landrovers were never used and others had mileages between 7000km to 50 000km. It is common knowledge that sometimes equipment, whether military or not that has not been in use for a while will likely display some form of minor mechanical faults that require minimal repairs,” said Colonel Dikole in an interview.

The Landrovers are said to have started experiencing mechanical problems and some of the parts that have been procured do not match the specifications of the vehicles. Some of the vehicles are said to have only been in use for less than four (4) months before they broke down. According to sources some of the parts that have been procured are stock-piled at the barracks and have been rendered useless. 

It has been estimated that the parts have cost the BDF close to P30 million. Colonel Dikole stated that any fleet - new or used - remains susceptible to mechanical failures as well as wear and tear. “In all our operational areas, which are in rugged terrain, the BDF cannot insulate its equipment against mechanical challenges coupled with wear and tear that result from such hostile environments,” said the BDF spokesperson.  

According to Colonel Dikole it is against this background that service support is provided in operational areas, and if this fails vehicles are backloaded to the nearest repair facility. He refuted claims that there is a stockpile of spares amounting to close to P30 million.“The fact of the matter is that only parts worth P1, 8 million were procured and contrary to your claims are not stockpiled, as they are used to maintain the vehicles. Please note that as a cost saving measure the best international practice is for militaries to consider excess defence equipment in the constant review of their inventory.

The Landrover fleet procured last year has augmented the existing fleet and this has enhanced our operational reach,” Colonel Dikole pointed out.  According to reports production of the Land Rover 110 Defender has ceased in the United Kingdom and has been phased out of military service in both the UK and Botswana.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has returnsl from his visit to Beijing, China, certainly a happy man, in light of the concessions he has extracted from his counterpart, Xi Jingping. According to official news reports China has extended some P340 million for Botswana’s development and on top of that, cancelled Botswana’s P80million debt. This is no small feat by any measure.

Masisi’s state visit has also calmed the frosty relations between China and Botswana, which erupted last year over a planned visit of Tibet’s spiritual leader, Dalai Lama to Botswana for a peace conference. The two nations’ cordial relations which were begun in 1975 by this country’s founding fathers were almost sullied by this single act, which China deemed offensive and against the spirit of the One China Policy, which Botswana has always respected. Masisi will announce in a press conference tomorrow 9Saturday 8th September) other concessions that he has made with the Chinese people across economic, social, cultural and political relations. A sticking point for most of the Asian investors has over the years been Botswana’s restrictive immigration laws.

Thankfully, Masisi has since committed to review the immigration policies with a view to relax visa and work permit requirements for investors, businesspeople and other foreign nationals visiting the country as either tourists or workers.Even though Botswana and China have signed Memorandum of Understanding on various areas of cooperation during the recent state visit, there is serious concern that the agreement on promotion and protection of investment between the two nations, which was signed in June 2000, has not entered into force.

Reasons advanced for this delay are that it is being withheld by “legal issues,” on the Botswana side, while China has already signed it and passed it through Parliament. In a recent interview before the delegation left for China, the country’s Chief Negotiator at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Phadzha Butale expounded further on this.“Indeed we signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with China. Subsequent to that we found that BITs as previously crafted brought unforeseen problems and debilitating consequences for developing countries particularly in Africa.

“As a result, both nationally and regionally a decision was taken to review our template BIT and to come up with a suitable model that would be adopted in the region at SADC. Thus Botswana took the decision to impose a moratorium on the negotiation and commencement of BITs where same had been signed so as to allow for their review. The review is still underway and the moratorium still stands,” said Butale.

Trade value between Botswana and China is skewed in China’s favour. Li Hongbing, the First Secretary in the Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Botswana, says the trade value between China and Botswana was US$ 266 million. Chinese statistics show that in the same period, the outflow of foreign direct investment from China to Botswana dropped 77 percent year-on-year to US$ 18.78 million, while the amount of FDI from China to SADC was US$ 1.07 billion.

China’s main imports from Botswana were jewellery, precious metals and their products, mineral sand and ash; oil seed kernels, clothing and accessories. There is hope that China could relax her sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) standards and lift the ban on Botswana’s beef exports to that huge market. Observers however, wonder whether Botswana would be able to supply that market with beef if this came to pass. It is food for thought, as Botswana explores alternative export markets in her quest to diversify her economy and bring poverty levels down.

Chairman of Alliance for Progressives (AP) Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware says his party will call for a commission of enquiry into the controversial procurement of Land Rovers from the United Kingdom by Botswana Defence Force (BDF). The BDF spent around P161 million for procurement of 500 second-hand Land Rover 110 Defenders.

The procurement of the obsolete vehicles was allegedly spearheaded by Office of the President early last year and BDP played no major role save for viewing and collection at Witham (Specialist Vehicles) Ltd - a UK secondhand seller. The OP has been at the centre of the controversial procurement although it refuted playing part in the agreement to purchase units of the Defender LR110 4×4 SUV for the BDF, at a cost of P161.9 million. 

Major Gen Mokgware stated this week that they would seek through a motion in Parliament for an enquiry to be undertaken to establish why the BDF decided to buy such vehicles which are already experiencing breakdowns hardly a year later. “We demand that the recent procurement of very old military equipment be investigated.

We strongly believe that the procurement was not transparent. There are allegations that certain high ranking officers were given similar vehicles by the supplier. This was a waste of government funds,” said the AP chairman who is also Member of Parliament for Gabane-Mankgodi. Maj Gen Mokgware pointed out that should the motion be defeated as they foresee such from Botswana Democratic Party MPs they would seek other avenues.

“We will ask for Parliamentary Committee on Defence and International Relations to intervene and call the Commander or Minister of Defence Justice and Security to explain this mess”. BDF Director, Directorate of Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole has stated that BDF procured last year what is called EXCESS DEFENCE EQUIPMENT from the United Kingdom (UK) Military. He explained that Excess Defence Equipment is equipment disposed of by an army, in this case the UK Army as a result of downsizing.

“This equipment ranges from never used to hardly used. Some of the Land Rovers were never used and others had mileages that read between 7000km to 50 000km. It is common knowledge that sometimes equipment, whether military or not that has not been in use for a while will likely display some form of minor mechanical faults that require minimal repairs,” said Colonel Dikole in an interview recently with this publication adding that any fleet - new or used - remains susceptible to mechanical failures as well as wear and tear.

Maj Gen Mokgware, a former army man himself, believes it was ill-advised to procure such equipment. He explained that the BDF should be moving with the times and buying appropriate equipment. “What is even painful is that we are wasting such funds while our security officers are disgruntled.

They are no longer promoted and stay in one rank for a long time, their conditions of service are very poor and they do not have accommodation. It is very dangerous to have such people disgruntled because it puts our security as a country at risk,” he explained.

Chairman of Alliance for Progressives (AP) Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware says his party will call for a commission of enquiry into the controversial procurement of Land Rovers from the United Kingdom by Botswana Defence Force (BDF). The BDF spent around P161 million for procurement of 500 second-hand Land Rover 110 Defenders.

The procurement of the obsolete vehicles was allegedly spearheaded by Office of the President early last year and BDP played no major role save for viewing and collection at Witham (Specialist Vehicles) Ltd - a UK secondhand seller. The OP has been at the centre of the controversial procurement although it refuted playing part in the agreement to purchase units of the Defender LR110 4×4 SUV for the BDF, at a cost of P161.9 million. 

Major Gen Mokgware stated this week that they would seek through a motion in Parliament for an enquiry to be undertaken to establish why the BDF decided to buy such vehicles which are already experiencing breakdowns hardly a year later. “We demand that the recent procurement of very old military equipment be investigated.

We strongly believe that the procurement was not transparent. There are allegations that certain high ranking officers were given similar vehicles by the supplier. This was a waste of government funds,” said the AP chairman who is also Member of Parliament for Gabane-Mankgodi. Maj Gen Mokgware pointed out that should the motion be defeated as they foresee such from Botswana Democratic Party MPs they would seek other avenues.

“We will ask for Parliamentary Committee on Defence and International Relations to intervene and call the Commander or Minister of Defence Justice and Security to explain this mess”. BDF Director, Directorate of Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole has stated that BDF procured last year what is called EXCESS DEFENCE EQUIPMENT from the United Kingdom (UK) Military. He explained that Excess Defence Equipment is equipment disposed of by an army, in this case the UK Army as a result of downsizing.

“This equipment ranges from never used to hardly used. Some of the Land Rovers were never used and others had mileages that read between 7000km to 50 000km. It is common knowledge that sometimes equipment, whether military or not that has not been in use for a while will likely display some form of minor mechanical faults that require minimal repairs,” said Colonel Dikole in an interview recently with this publication adding that any fleet - new or used - remains susceptible to mechanical failures as well as wear and tear.

Maj Gen Mokgware, a former army man himself, believes it was ill-advised to procure such equipment. He explained that the BDF should be moving with the times and buying appropriate equipment. “What is even painful is that we are wasting such funds while our security officers are disgruntled.

They are no longer promoted and stay in one rank for a long time, their conditions of service are very poor and they do not have accommodation. It is very dangerous to have such people disgruntled because it puts our security as a country at risk,” he explained.

Alliance for Progressives (AP) President also Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South Ndaba Gaolathe, has challenged government to consider a draft Bill they have availed for the reopening of BCL mine.Gaolathe has revealed that there is a fully-fledged Bill on BCL restructuring and revitalising of Selibe-Phikwe region.

According to Gaolathe they have already written a letter to Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security but there has not been any response. “In our letter we requested that they look at some of our proposals and take them into consideration. We are not saying they should take everything as it is and implement but we are saying look at our proposal and pick some because we believe they would be helpful.

We are also available to assist if they need such help from us. Until today we have not received any response from the two ministers and now we are surprised about the intention to reopen the mine,” Gaolathe told the media this week.He explained that in their restructuring plan they have proposed setting up of a Fund. Once the Fund has been set up, Gaolathe revealed that it would fund various activities such as joint ventures and partnerships with the private sector which would also make contribution towards that fund.

The second part of the fund according to the AP leader is for revitalisation of Selibe-Phikwe through a private equity fund. He explained that there is a huge scope for tourism and fertilisers in the Selibe-Phikwe region. “If the mine is to be opened the matter has to come to Parliament because government would inject some capital.

There are many things that will have to happen before the mine could be opened. The problem is that the current administration does not have the wisdom or good judgement. From the start the collapse of the BCL was as clear as daylight because all indicators were there to show that BCL would collapse. “We made contributions as to what could be done. Right now it is not clear as to what government wants to do in as far as the reopening of the BCL is concerned,” he explained.

Gaolathe  says it is not clear whether government wants to go into partnership, whether the affected employees would all come back to work or a certain fraction of the over 5000 employees would be considered or not. “We do not know how transparent the process would be. How involved would be Parliament, especially Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises and its input,” he wondered.

The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security has dismissed reports that government will reopen BCL mine. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, stated that Government is not good at business and should give way where an opportunity exists for the private sector. 

He said the Ministry and Government will not assume a similar role in BCL as in the past. The private sector will in their own determination, but facilitated by Government, assume any future investment in BCL, said Dekop. The PS indicated that the Minister has held discussions with the Liquidator on grouping the assets and liabilities of the mine expeditiously, so that any interested investor can purchase or assume part or all of such assets and liabilities.

This will enable those aspects of the mine that could be put back to life to resume business through private sector investment, he explained.

Alliance for Progressives (AP) President also Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South Ndaba Gaolathe, has challenged government to consider a draft Bill they have availed for the reopening of BCL mine.Gaolathe has revealed that there is a fully-fledged Bill on BCL restructuring and revitalising of Selibe-Phikwe region.

According to Gaolathe they have already written a letter to Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security but there has not been any response. “In our letter we requested that they look at some of our proposals and take them into consideration. We are not saying they should take everything as it is and implement but we are saying look at our proposal and pick some because we believe they would be helpful.

We are also available to assist if they need such help from us. Until today we have not received any response from the two ministers and now we are surprised about the intention to reopen the mine,” Gaolathe told the media this week.He explained that in their restructuring plan they have proposed setting up of a Fund. Once the Fund has been set up, Gaolathe revealed that it would fund various activities such as joint ventures and partnerships with the private sector which would also make contribution towards that fund.

The second part of the fund according to the AP leader is for revitalisation of Selibe-Phikwe through a private equity fund. He explained that there is a huge scope for tourism and fertilisers in the Selibe-Phikwe region. “If the mine is to be opened the matter has to come to Parliament because government would inject some capital.

There are many things that will have to happen before the mine could be opened. The problem is that the current administration does not have the wisdom or good judgement. From the start the collapse of the BCL was as clear as daylight because all indicators were there to show that BCL would collapse. “We made contributions as to what could be done. Right now it is not clear as to what government wants to do in as far as the reopening of the BCL is concerned,” he explained.

Gaolathe  says it is not clear whether government wants to go into partnership, whether the affected employees would all come back to work or a certain fraction of the over 5000 employees would be considered or not. “We do not know how transparent the process would be. How involved would be Parliament, especially Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises and its input,” he wondered.

The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security has dismissed reports that government will reopen BCL mine. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, stated that Government is not good at business and should give way where an opportunity exists for the private sector. 

He said the Ministry and Government will not assume a similar role in BCL as in the past. The private sector will in their own determination, but facilitated by Government, assume any future investment in BCL, said Dekop. The PS indicated that the Minister has held discussions with the Liquidator on grouping the assets and liabilities of the mine expeditiously, so that any interested investor can purchase or assume part or all of such assets and liabilities.

This will enable those aspects of the mine that could be put back to life to resume business through private sector investment, he explained.

Botswana Editors Forum (BEF) has welcomed as a positive development a decision by prosecution to drop charges of sedition against Editor of Sunday Standard Outsa Mokone.

Early this week when the case came for argument before Broadhurst Magistrate Court, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) revealed that it is no longer continuing with the case. DPP , represented by Wessen Manchwe, withdrew its opposition to the application that the case be dismissed. Mokone appeared in court to face a charge of sedition arising from an article published by Sunday Standard in September 2014.

Mokone is represented by Carlos Salbany of Bayford and Associates. Mokone faces the single count of sedition jointly with Tsodilo Services (Pty) Ltd the parent company of the Sunday Standard, arising from an article published on September 1st, 2014, titled “President hit in car Accident while driving alone at night.”  The article revealed how former president Khama had been involved in a motor vehicle accident on the night of August 23rd, 2014.

In an interview with this publication this week, BEF Chairman Spencer Mogapi said they are naturally happy and welcome that the case has been dropped. He however stated that the case could have long been dropped or not been registered in the first place. He explained that the BEF recently met with President Mokgweetsi Masisi and expressed dissatisfaction about some of the laws sedition included which they believe infringes on the right of journalists to freely perform their work.

According to Mogapi, they remain hopeful that the current administration will work with the media, to address some of the key issues that affect the media including some of the laws they feel have been overtaken by events. “There are many of the laws among them Sedition, Media Practioners’ Act and National Security Law which make it difficult for journalists to do their work.

We would continue to engage the president and his government but we will give them chance to govern the country and we would continue to be available to assist where we best can,” he said. Mogapi explained that they are worried that the Media Practitioners' Law even though it has not been into use, maybe one day or in years to come, fall into wrong hands and those people would use it against the media.

BEF and other media rights groups have been calling for the repeal of the Media Practitioners' Act. Mogapi also warned journalist not to trust political parties saying they support the media when it best suits them. “Once you have a story that is negative about them they start attacking you. Of recent we had a senior opposition politician indicating that the Media Practitioners Act has to be put into use to punish some of the journalists.

This is just because some of the reports have not been favourable to them but in the past we know the opposition to have been sympathetic to the media and advocating for free press. Right now we see that they are in their comfort zone. So journalists should be mindful of these politicians across the political divide,” said Mogapi who also cautioned journalists to always support each other in trying times because no one knows when their time will come.

According to Journalists Without Borders 2018 Report on Media Freedom, Botswana’s international rankings have steadily declined under former president Ian Khama. In 2013, the first year Botswana was ranked, Botswana came in at 40th out of 180 countries.

Due to Khama’s persistent attacks on the media, calling it unpatriotic, alleging that the “media and its opposition lawyers” sought to undermine the constitution, the Report found, coupled with raids and arrests of media practitioners and media houses by state security agencies for exposing corruption, that Botswana’s media freedom ratings progressively dropped to 48th by 2017.