Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) is not retrenching staff, but instead has consolidated some units leading to internal staff movements in order to promote efficiency within the agency.Collections and Legal are some of the units that have been consolidated to ensure that the core function of collections is handled end to end by one department.

Strategy and Research functions were also consolidated into corporate planning in order to align with best practice in similar operations. It is said that the realignment has resulted in greater efficiencies with the agency exceeding target in the first half of the year.
The efficiency and good performance of the staff has led to the demands of the agency’s products. CEDA currently operates from nine branches across Botswana, and a further three Mobile Offices which provide roaming services.

Close sources had postulated that the government agency, which was set up to address the need for coherent and holistic support for the development of small, medium and large scale enterprises through the soft window and package offered through subsidiaries - would soon be retrenching as it is overstaffed.

Sources claimed that some members of the executive have been doing a national tour to inform CEDA staff about the looming retrenchments. The sources claim that the retrenchments follow the approval and the implementation of the CEDA 2018-2021 Strategy.
Allaying these fears CEDA Head of Marketing and Communications, Anno Tshipa explained that the staff movement is a result of the approval and implementation of the CEDA 2018-2021 Strategy.

Tshipa said the greater demand for the agency’s products and services has resulted in the agency working to open two branches in Letlhakane and Tsabong respectively. The Letlhakane branch will open in November 2018 while Tsabong will open in the first half of 2019.

Tshipa added that the agency has aggressively deployed three mobile offices to sell the popular microfinance product known as Mabogo Dinku, stating that as at 21st October 2018, the mobile offices had reached 80 villages across Botswana, with a goal of reaching 110 by end of the year. The Mobile Offices are fully equipped to provide all online services that are currently offered across all CEDA Offices.

When refuting allegations that CEDA is overstaffed and many employees are duplicating each other’s duties, Tshipa said while CEDA is mindful of staff costs, the current branches are optimally staffed to be self-sustaining, or being able to generate enough revenue to cover their expenses.

She revealed that the agency is currently reviewing its guidelines with a view to advising Government on the optimal model of service provision. The project to review guidelines is intended for completion in 2019, and without pre-empting recommendations, there will be greater focus on commercialisation, including establishment of an SMME Bank.

Over the past 10 years, CEDA has graduated 70 interns to permanent and pensionable positions within Operations, Information Technology, Collections, Finance and Marketing. Majority of the Interns came from the Government Internship Programme, while some were identified as Top Performers from their various institutions including Botswana Accountancy College and the University of Botswana.

Tshipa concluded that CEDA is committed to its staff welfare and has various initiatives to ensure that the agency remains the Employer of Choice including internal promotions, funding toward advanced degrees and general employee engagement. “The Agency has recently promoted from within a staff member to Head the upcoming Letlhakane Branch, and where skills are available, will always look within for senior position

Alliance for Progressives (AP) will soon reveal all the dirty tricks that were applied by some contracting partners in the UDC which led to Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) spliting, AP Vice President Wynter Mmolotsi has said.Mmolotsi stated that they are aware of what their colleagues in the UDC being Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) did for the BMD to split.

BMD split last year resulting in the formation of AP.  This was after a bloodbath election congress in Bobonong where one faction led by now AP President Ndaba Gaolathe clashed with the one led by BMD current President Advocate Sidney Pilane. Gaolathe’s team dumped BMD when UDC leadership did not heed their call for a fresh congress.

Addressing a rally in Gaborone this past weekend, Mmolotsi said BMD was split by the leadership of BCP and BNF. The outspoken vice president revealed that the leadership of the two parties orchestrated a plan to have Gaolathe removed as vice president of UDC.
Mmolotsi who is also Member of Parliament for Francistown South pointed out that people should not listen to the UDC especially when the party claims that AP would not take power on its own.

He told the gathering that very soon Advocate Pilane and BMD Secretary General Gilbert Mangole would be on radio stations spilling the beans about what transpired.“It is time we talk about these things. Very soon I will reveal what exactly transpired to find ourselves where we are today. But before I do that the BMD president and his secretary general will soon be on radio to explain these things.

“They will reveal how they were assisted by the BCP and BNF to topple Gaolathe from BMD leadership and that of the UDC,” said the legislator. Mmolotsi revealed that when they were suspended from the BMD, they discovered that the charges that they were facing were drafted by lawyers from BCP and BNF. He said the charges had email addresses of a BCP lawyer and the other belonged to a BNF lawyer.

“Mangole has publicly indicated that they were assisted in their fight against us. Advocate Pilane will soon reveal that on such a date we met at Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) where the plan to remove Gaolathe was undertaken. The plan was to remove Gaolathe so that BCP President Dumelang Saleshando could become UDC Vice President. Very soon the public would know the truth,” said Mmolotsi. Mmolotsi’s utterances on BCP’s hand in the BMD split came a few weeks after Mangole made the same statement in Mochudi.

Mangole indicated that the BCP was the root cause for all the problems in the UDC and played a hand in the BMD split. The accusations have been dismissed by BCP leader Saleshando as cheap politics. AP has for long indicated that it would not work with UDC which has both BMD and Advocate Pilane in it. The party has stated in various fora that they do not recognise Advocate Pilane as a lawfully elected president who can sit around the same table with them.

BMD is currently on suspension and at press time the UDC leadership was deliberating on the letter presented by BMD rubbishing its suspension from the UDC.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) President Duma Boko has developed an uncanny knack for subtly invoking the Scripture to guide him in resolving disputes surrounding the estranged Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).
Speaking during this past weekend rally at Diphetogo Grounds in Gaborone West, Boko said that should the coalition leadership fail to resolve problems with BMD, then the matter would be handed to the masses to decide.

Just like in the Scripture, when Pontius Pilate failed to find Jesus - who was called the Christ –guilty, he asked for Peter to wash his hands publicly and handed Jesus to the mercy of the Jews to decide what to do with him. The Jews set a convicted murderer, Barrabas free and demanded that Jesus be executed.

BMD was last month slapped with a suspension from the UDC. The party was ordered to make representation last week. The BMD responded with a hard-hitting letter rubbishing the suspension. Prior to the writing of the letter BMD had requested through another letter that UDC President Advocate Duma Boko furnish them with Minutes of the meeting at which the decision to suspend BMD was taken, attendance register and the letter that invited BMD to that meeting which suspended the BMD.

In response Advocate Boko indicated that he would not be able to avail such documents because they have to be first presented at a UDC National Executive Committee meeting to be ratified before they could be given to the BMD.At a rally in Gaborone this past weekend, Advocate Boko revealed that the matter of the BMD would be dealt with accordingly.

He explained that proper channels have been followed and continue to be followed when dealing with the matter. “People need to be patient when we deal with these issues. Why should we rush things? Procedure has to be followed. We are meeting on Wednesday in Francistown as NEC to deliberate on the matter.

“Once everything has been finalised we will accordingly communicate. Once the decision has been made those who celebrate can celebrate and those who cry and throw tantrums can also do so. When we get to that conclusion whether you cry or what you do, there is nothing that can be done.

“If we fail as leadership then we will let members of the UDC to decide. The matter would now be in your hands,” he said to the applause of the multitudes that thronged the rally.The UDC leader said he has confidence in his followers. He indicated that people are taking UDC members for granted and have a perception that they are not capable of resolving any matter.

There is nothing great like leading people, because when you cannot solve a problem they would do that for you, Boko said. Boko who is also a Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington North stated that the UDC is currently going through final examination. “And I know we will pass that examination.

There is no problem that cannot be solved. The same problem UDC is going through, Botswana National Front once experienced it and I gave BNF members a go ahead when we met in Mahalapye to decide the matter,” he said. For his part UDC Chairman also President of Botswana People’s Party (BPP) Motlatsi Molapisi said he does not understand why people question his party’s stance on the BMD issue.

He explained that the BPP has endorsed the suspension of the BMD and there is no further explanation that has to be given. “I spoke to Advocate Boko about the matter and that BPP fully supports the suspension. If I did not call you to talk to you about it that is not a problem. I do not go around making announcements to everyone. There are valid reasons why BMD was suspended,” said Molapisi.

The UDC chairman called on party members to desist from attacking the BMD especially in the public domain. He said if there is an issue, UDC resolves such issues in-house and not at public rallies. He expressed concern that at the time of the UDC rally in Gaborone, BMD was in Francistown and could be attacking the UDC. He said problems of the coalition should not be discussed in public rallies calling on UDC members to protect the national project.

When the BMD was on the verge of a split and Boko was called upon to intervene, he invoked for his guide and counsel, the parable of King Solomon and the two prostitutes that both claimed to be the mother of the child.
Boko said at the time, “The baby must live”, but with hindsight it remains to be seen which baby this was!

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration has entered into its first fight with Public Sector unions affiliated to Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU).

The unions - Botswana Landboards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAWU), Botswana Sectors of Educators’ Trade Union (BOSETU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and National Amalgamated Local Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU) - which asked for Dr Masisi to be given a chance to lead the country when he occupied the high office, have since slapped government with a legal suit for derecognising them.

In court papers seen by this publication, the unions argue that the application is instituted as one of extreme urgency, to interdict the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) Director Goitseone Naledi Mosalakatane from implementing a decision contained in the letter dated 16 October 2008, in terms of which the DPSM resolved that the unions were not entitled to continued recognition in terms of the Public Service Act. 

According to an affidavit deposed off by BOFEPUSU Labour Secretary who also doubles as NALCGPWU National Organising Secretary, Johnson Motshwarakgole the loss of recognition rights or the enjoyment of same at the whim of the DPSM has catastrophic consequences for the unions. He posits that it effectively means that over 65 000 public officers in the public service are no longer effectively represented in the public service.

“The loss of recognition may result in the loss of Applicants’ rights to check-off facilities. The Applicants’ loss of recognition status also means that they cannot validly participate in negotiations for the revival of Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC).  Currently to the best of my knowledge, only Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) was recognised subsequent to the promulgation of the Public Service Act (PSA),” he said.

According to Motshwarakgole it also effectively means that only their members will be represented when PSBC’s constitution is settled and registered. He stated that only BONU will then qualify for representation at the PSBC. BONU would then become the sole voice of the workers in the public service, he says adding that this position is untenable in view of the fact that in terms of numbers, only about five percent of the public service will be represented at the PSBC.

“Irreparable harm will flow from the lack of representation of the Applicants’ members.  The Applicants’ members will not only lose confidence and faith in the Applicant unions, they are likely to terminate their membership of the Applicant as a result of the aforesaid loss of recognition.

“As a result of the loss of recognition the Applicants may no longer be able to collect subscriptions from their members. This is because they will lose the contractual and statutory rights to have check-off facilities administered on their behalf. Funeral schemes and other group schemes that the Applicant unions operate using the check-off facilities may collapse if premiums and subscriptions are not being collected using the check-off facilities that the applicants currently enjoy by virtue of their recognition,” reads Motshwarakgole’s affidavit.

He stated that it is also in the national interest to have the matter dealt with urgently so that there may be certainty in the interim in respect of the applicants’ participation in the re-establishment of the PSBC. According to court papers the DPSM’s decision is a clear breach of the rights that the Applicants have in terms of their various recognition agreements.

It is argued that the DPSM has for at least the last eight years conducted itself as if it accepts that the recognition that the Applicants enjoy is, for all intents and purposes, as valid as if it were granted in terms of section 46 of the Public Service Act. Motshwarakgole further argues that the Applicants, relying on the representations made to them by the DPSM, did not consider it necessary to apply for recognition afresh in terms of section 46 of the PSA.

The DPSM is therefore stopped from now asserting that the Applicants are not validly recognised because they did not make an application in terms of the PSA, he sates.“The processes for de-recognition set out in section 48 (5) of the Trade Union and Employer’s Organisation Act and in section 36 of the Trade Disputes Act apply mutalis mutandis to unions recognised in terms of the PSA.

There has been no process followed to withdraw the Applicants’ recognition.  The DPSM decision to disregard the Applicants’ recognition is therefore clearly invalid,” Motshwarakgole argues.The Applicants therefore bring this application to seek to preserve their statutory and contractual rights flowing from recognition which they have hitherto enjoyed, he explained.

The unionist pointed out that the rights and privileges are sought to be preserved pending the outcome of an application for final relief which will resolve uncertainties that have been introduced by the DPSM in respect of the validity of the Applicants’ statutory and contractual rights and privileges in the public service.  The intention is to file an application for final relief seven weeks from today to enable the Applicants to comply with their obligation to issue Statutory Notice, says Motshwarakgole in the court papers.

Francistown Industrial court last week passed an order attaching the machinery of Bash Carriers, a road construction company which was funded under the ESP to the tune of over 400 million pula.The company was to construct a bituminous road project between Tshesebe village and Masunga through Mosojane which was terminated by the responsible ministry for incompetency.

The order followed another similar one, which was passed by the same court on the 18 of October 2018 the previous week, giving the contractor 7 working days to have paid the aggrieved workers over 1 million pula, which they are currently owed.

Last week Thursday, Kagiso Kaizer Melemo and 199 other former employees at Bash Carriers approached the Industrial Court making an urgent application for the machinery of their former employer to be attached by deputy sheriffs since the contractor was nowhere to be found, having left hundreds of workers stranded without their August, September and October 2018 salaries and unpaid severance benefits.

As if that was not enough, the aggrieved workers revealed that they made the urgent application after discovering that although their employer had disappeared into thin air, his equipment in the construction sites was being secretly moved elsewhere without their knowledge.

When their demands were granted, the jubilant workers informed this publication that they will be assured of their payments in the event the said equipment amounting to more than 5million pula is auctioned. Efforts to call the Director of Bash proved futile for the past week as all his mobile numbers given to this publication did not go through, a habit which the aggrieved workers had raised before the industrial court.

The Tshesebe- Masunga ESP -funded project which was signed on the 6th of April 2017 crumbled way before it could be completed.Bash Carriers Pty Ltd is a 100 percent citizen owned contractor and the company pocketed a sum of BWP 430,047,693.11 but could not even complete 50 percent of the constructions of the road, which has a number of bridges.

On the third of October 2018, workers were given employment termination letters. Before they could vacate the site, they inquired about their severance benefits only for them to be referred to the office accountant in Gaborone who then issued them with a table detailing their payments schedule, only for the company to secretly move equipment elsewhere.

When the North East council full house resumed at the beginning of this year, councillors complained of the snail’s pace of the contractor whom they accused of failing to adhere to his contractual obligations which required that by February 2018, the project should be at least 50 percent in progress.

When contacted for a comment, North East District Chairperson Florah Mpetsane confirmed that the contractor for the project left the site and laid off dozens of employees. She also revealed that as per a directive from the responsible ministry, the tendering for a new construction company will soon take place but warned that the bidding process takes a long time.

The project will see the upgrading of the existing gravel road of Tshesebe – Masunga Road (approximately 23km) from gravel road to bituminous standards with associated geometric improvements. It starts at Tshesebe junction on Francistown – Ramokgwebana A1 section, traverses through Mosojane, and ends at the junction with the Sebina – Zwenshambe tarred road in Masunga village.

The road has the following access roads: Mosojane access road (0.1km), Mosojane Masukwane road (5.7km), Pole access road (1km), Masunga Letsholathebe access road (6.7km), Mosojane -Mulambakwena access road (8km), Masunga access road (0.2km) and Masukwane Kgari access road (7km).

The project was awarded for construction to Bash Carriers Pty Ltd at a sum of BWP 430,047,693.11 while the supervision was awarded to Rites Africa in association with Pula Consultants Ltd at a sum of BWP 18,751,082.00 including VAT.

With only five (5) weeks left before Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) elective congress, the union might find itself embroiled in a controversial congress in Kasane.

The congress is expected to be held from the 10th to the 13th of December this year, with two warring factions eyeing the leadership of the union, now unleashing war on each other by the pass of every week. One faction is led by BOPEU President Masego Mogwera while the other is led by Zibani Philemon, who has been tipped to challenge Mogwera for the presidency.

In July this year, Philemon was controversially appointed acting president at a Cresta Lodge meeting in Gaborone. The two warring factions have torn BOPEU into two since July in a power struggle that has culminated into legal battles.

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).

It has emerged this week that as the fight between the two continues, Mogwera has pulled the plug on her nemesis and slapped them with letters of disciplinary hearing.  The four members who were appointed interim as National Office Bearers (NOB) are said to have refused to appear before a three-member Commission on Disciplinary.

The other seven (7) have been given letters to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against them. Eleven NEC members participated in the July meeting that suspended Mogwera and team. According to observers, this could cause more tension and members facing disciplinary hearing according to the Constitution would not be part of the December congress and would not contest any National Office Bearers (NOB) positions.

NOB is composed of the President, 1st Deputy President- Collective Bargaining, 2nd Deputy President- Gender and Human Rights, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and Treasurer General. According to Article 25.1.2 of the BOPEU Constitution to be eligible to hold office as NOB, a member shall have served at least one full term in Regional Executive Committee (REC) or any other national statutory structures of the union and also have been a member of the union in good standing for a period of not less than 4 years. 

Article 20.1.3 states, “to be eligible to be elected to the REC, a member shall have served in any other union structure for a period of not less than 3 years and shall have been a member of the union in good standing for a period of not less than 4 years”. This, according to some sources, means key NEC members who were serving in various regional committees are facing disciplinary action and could not be able to contest for NOB as the disciplinary process would not have been completed by the December congress this year.

The suspended members are also part of the two cases that were launched against Mogwera at the high court, which she won.  The remaining seven (7) members were written letters, dated 15th October 2018 referenced “Show cause why disciplinary action cannot be instituted and or taken against yourself.” 

The letters signed by Mogwera states, “You are hereby requested to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken and or instituted against you in respect of allegations of serious misconduct levelled against you. It is alleged that on or about 28th of July 2018, at Cresta Lodge acting in concert with other members of the National Executive Committee, you purported to have continued with an adjourned meeting of the NEC without any lawful authority.”

It is further alleged that the members signed, without authority, a power of attorney instructing an attorney to institute legal proceeding in the name of BOPEU against President Masego Mogwera Tlhabologo Galekhutle (Treasurer), Martin Gabobake (1st Deputy President), Topias Marenga (General Secretary) and Ketlhapelang Karabo (Deputy General Secretary) of BOPEU.

“It is alleged that you knowingly signed the power of attorney despite being aware that you possess no authority and or power to do that. It is further alleged that you participated in an illegal meeting which purportedly suspended the president, 1st Deputy President, General Secretary, Treasurer General, and Deputy General Secretary of BOPEU. On this basis, it is alleged that you are working against the interests of the union.

The purported resolutions of the illegal meeting are annexed hereunder for ease of reference.” Mogwera further asks the affected NEC members to show cause within seven days of service of the letters. When contacted, Philemon who is leading the pack of the suspended members and has been linked to challenging Mogwera said any member who qualifies is eligible to contest.

He would not want to be drawn into discussing the union matters with the press. He has however indicated that he heard about letters of disciplinary hearing but he has not been served. According to Philemon, it is not his job to continue fighting the leadership of the union but it is up to members of the union to stand up for their rights and protect the union they have worked so hard to build.

“It is now time for the membership to rise to the occasion. If they believe something is not right they have to seek answers. This is not about Philemon, it is about the union and its legacy,” he said.For her part, Mogwera rubbished claims that she is trying to purge people who want to challenge her. She explained that the union has a membership of 35 000 and the congress would be attended by 500 delegates.

Mogwera revealed that just because people have been suspended, they should not think there are no capable BOPEU members who can contest in the December congress, adding that this would be taking BOPEU members for granted. She has however confirmed that the seven NEC members have received their letters. 

“As for the four who once instituted a case against me they are playing hide and seek to come for disciplinary hearing. We will however give them time and allow the work of the commission to go on uninterrupted. The 11 members were found to have acted grossly by a commission of inquiry in the July meeting.

The commission was made up of two lawyers and an honorary member of BOPEU,” said Mogwera. She said BOPEU members know exactly what is going on as they have been briefed during the various regional congresses that have been held. She is optimistic of a calm and successful congress.

Two years later, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture (MYSC) continues to be dogged by a litany of financial indiscretions arising from its conduct of the Bots50 Celebrations.The improprieties are captured in the Auditor General’s report. Among some of the alarrming findings is the awarding of a tender worth P2, 753 – 440 to a Chinese company, Jiansu Jianhu Pytote for the provision of fireworks at 15 different sites on Independence Day, 2016.

The AG’s report shows that the Secretaraiat (Bots 50) had advanced P2, 000, 000 to Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) on 26th April 2016 to facilitate the provision of fireworks for the big day. A compnay was awarded the tender at a cost of P 1, 907, 043 and according to the AG’s report, was paid 50 percent mobilisation fee of P953, 521.

Additional funds of P953, 521 were further advanced to the BNSC thus bringing the total funds towards provision of fireworks to P2, 953, 521. According to the AG’s altogether, the contractor was paid P1, 907, 043 leaving a balance of P1, 046, 478 of the money advanced which BNSC should account for to the Secretariat.

But there’s a catch here, since the Bots50 Secretariat has since disbanded, it begs the question who will the BNSC account to? The AG’s report further notes that the contract agreement for the provision of the fireworks was signed by Bots50 Coordinator, Charity Kgotlafela in March 2016 while the supplier signed in April 2016 (a month later).

But odd enough, the Ministerial Tender Committee awarded the tender on “direct appointment” in June 2016, which was after the signing of the contract and making the 50 percent advance payment of P953, 521.In defense of his Minisrty, Permanent Secretary Kago Ramokate told the Auditors that the direct appointment of the Chinese manufacturer was based on “competitive price and high quality product”.

But he owned up that the contract agreement signed prior to June 2016, which was the date of the award by the MTC, was “therefore improper and without force.”He said this is because performance contracts are entered into and signed following award of the tender. He explained that the total amount spent for fireworks was P2, 003, 533. 40 with P217, 118, 61 paid to Botswana Unified Revenue Services for withholding tax and P1, 786, 414.79 paid to Jiansu Jianhu Pyrote.

The difference of P949, 987, 6 was “allocated to other expenses”.However, it seems this matter is not yet dead and buried, as the PS is expected to be grilled by the Parliament’s Accounts Committee next week to account for these lapses.

Sources say it was highly irregular for the Coordinator to travel to China with the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Peter Mongwaketsi, who incidentally, also sits on the Bots50 Board, and unilaterally award the tender to the Chinese company outside the purview of the MTC, whilst procurement was ongoing in Botswana with two selected companies.

Furthermore, the award was irregular because it was not vetted by the Attorney General Chambers, which is normanl government procurement policy. Yet another tender that the PS will be asked to defend before the PAC is the award of a tender worth P12, 753, 440 to Red Pepper for production of the opening ceremony and another tender of P2, 580, 408 for the cooordination and directing of events on the Eve of Independence Day 2016 making a total of P15, 333, 848 that was paid to the company.

The Auditor General observed that this amount was however “negotiated down”to P14, 495, 000 and that an advance of P7, 247 500 or 50 percent was paid. The AG’s noted that since an amount of P15, 833, 644 had already been advanced to BNSC to cater for the services, this left balance of P1, 338, 644 to be accounted for to the Secretariat.

However, the AG observed that, “I have not been able to obtainn information as to how the funds were accounted for”. However, in his response to the Auditors, the PS stated that Thapelo Letsholo’s company, Red Pepper, was awarded a total P15, 333, 848 - 00 and that contrary to the AG’s obsevation, the tender was “not negotiated down”to P14, 495, 000 - 00, but rather it was noted that the deposit of P7, 247, 500 – 00 “assumed to be 50 percent was actual 47 percent of the contract sum” and the “shortfall” was fully paid to Red Pepper”.

When he appears before the PAC, Ramokate will have to flex his muscles and convince the Committee members who authorised the payment of P15, 8million whilst the contract stipulated P14, 495 million. He will be called upon to account for the P1, 3million shortfall.
Other complaints, although not captured in the AG’s report, are beginning to emerge imputing favouritism, which has led to mass resignations at the ministry.

It is said that a certan lady (names withheld but known to this paper) unduly benefits from many trips with the Ministry’s headhonchos at the expense of proper candidates. In fact, an insider whispered that the lady is already being eyed for promotion! Other disgruntled employees have been forced to leave because their authority is undermined.

For instance, one lady was investigated by an officer and the matter escalated to Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) which recommended that she be suspended but the authorities that be, allegedly refused.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) might fail to put forward its name at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to contest for 2019 general elections.This is because of the internal fights in the coalition which will soon be fought in courts of law.

Reading between the lines from the statements uttered by the enraged Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), their colleagues in the UDC- Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) should brace themselves for a protracted legal battle. BMD, which has since been expelled from the UDC and given 30 days to appeal the decision to the UDC National Congress, has since revealed that it is taking the matter to court.

“We are going to court and that is where we will fight for our rights. We would lay out all the truth that Batswana need to hear. We cannot appeal to the National Congress which is a body that is controlled by people who have expelled us. Remember this is not happening for the first time because during the February 2018 congress at Boipuso Hall they attempted to expel us.

The situation was saved by UDC President Advocate Duma Boko so the expulsion is nothing new but something that they have been working on for a long time. We have faith in our courts. We want people who will be objective and honest when dealing with our matter,” BMD President, Advocate Pilane stated this week. 

While it was highly expected that the BMD would launch the case as soon as this week, the party has revealed that ‘there is no rush’. According to sources, the BMD will delay the case until elections, next year.  The case is expected to reach the Court of Appeal if any of the parties loses at the high court. The case if it follows normal procedure is highly likely to be heard sometimes next year at the high court since it would not have been launched through urgency application.

Responding to a question on when the case is anticipated to reach the court, Advocate Pilane stated that they are not in any hurry. He said all they are engaged in is to collect all the necessary information and evidence that they would be using in court.  “We are preparing our papers for court. We are not in a hurry and when we are ready, we will let you know and will be heading to court. In the meantime, the real UDC is here and we are moving forward.

We will be working around the clock to ensure that we get candidates for Parliament and council seats across the country. We want to teach our friends at BCP and BNF that honesty and trustworthiness are key in liberating Batswana. It is now crunch-time and the question of rights arises and we will argue this in court. We will also in detail while in court, demonstrate how processes and procedures were not followed,” the BMD leader stated.

BCP and BNF are also on the other hand, addressing rallies around the country, updating members on what has transpired to trigger BMD expulsion. BMD still regards itself a UDC member in good standing. Recently, Advocate Boko stated that they are ready to handle the matter in court. This week he also took to social media to accuse their ‘colleagues’ of feeding people with lies, stating that “Some of the lies they tell would actually be comical if they weren’t so farcical!

We will put them to the sword, you just wait and see. They, that have lived by the sword will perish by it.”

Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has accused Botswana People’s Party (BPP) of betraying them in their survival struggle within the coalition movement.BMD was last week expelled from Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), following its suspension in September this year. BMD, which has been enjoying the support of BPP within the UDC especially at leadership level has now found itself out in the cold fighting as a lone ranger.

The relationship between the two has been one of the stumbling blocks for other contracting partners- Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana National Front (BNF) to bulldoze the BMD especially during National Executive Committee meetings.Things have now taken a nasty twist when a decision to suspend BMD was taken in September. The BMD, following the suspension, has maintained that BPP was on its side until BPP President publicly declared that they stand by the NEC decision.

This week BMD President Advocate Sidney Pilane could not describe what really happened to their good friends. He revealed that BPP is better placed to explain what really went wrong.“They are the ones who can tell you what really happened. As BMD, we have played a great role in the recognition of BPP and making it active in UDC activities. When we arrived at the UDC following our Lobatse congress, we enquired as to why BPP was not visible in UDC activities.

We approached them to find out what could be the problem. They laid out their issues with us but we convinced them that they have to be involved in UDC activities even NEC meetings while they pursue their grievances,” Advocate Pilane stated.BPP refrained from UDC activities, including attending NEC meetings on grounds that their queries were not attended to by the party leadership.

One of the issues that the BPP had raised was that they were only allocated four (4) constituencies. The BPP wanted an additional four. While the UDC leadership was reluctant to attend to the matter the BPP turned the tables and never attended the UDC activities. At one point the BPP leader questioned one of the meetings that was sanctioned by UDC President Advocate Duma Boko, saying the meeting was illegal.

The meeting resulted in two of the BPP central committee members being suspended from the party as they were said to have unlawfully attended the meeting and a rally purporting to be representing the BPP. The relationship between BPP and BMD got strengthened then and was cemented when the latter gave the former Francistown West constituency on a silver platter. This was after BMD negotiated for a swap with BCP, in exchange for Maun West.

The new developments, according to Pilane came as a surprise that their friends have joined others to betray them. He said they trusted the BPP as much as they trusted the BNF, whom they have built the UDC together to be the brand it is today. BPP Secretary General Venter Galetshabiwe said there is no betrayal that has been done by his party.

He said the decisions that were taken, from the suspension to the expulsion of the BMD was a collective, following robust deliberation on matters on the table.  “You were there when UDC president made the announcements. It was a collective decision and cannot be used against the BPP by other contracting partners as if it was a BPP decision. We abide by that decision and BPP cannot add or subtract anything,” said Galetshabiwe.

It is at this point that the nation expects to hear and understand the president’s roadmap. In his inaugural speech in April this year, the President was full of promises, which have largely become just simple talk and less action. The president, upon assuming office had Batswana with high hopes that at least after 100 days, his ‘Out’ tray would carry people’s hopes and morale, tenets that have been dampened in the past 10 years of iron fist rule.

Observers maintain that so far the president has been more vocal on simply reversing Khama’s policies, firing people from the public service and cabinet and focusing on the internal fights of his party Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). While there was hope that there would be a clear roadmap from the president, nothing has come to the fore.

The Monday address is the opportunity for the president to prove that indeed he is fixing things by focusing on issues of national importance and restoring Batswana’s confidence in his administration, which some are now beginning to doubt.

Corruption
He has to stick to his statement that he hates corruption and would not tolerate it. This is not a new statement as his predecessor sang the same song. Little, if not nothing, has been done to deal with corruption especially at government enclave. We still have high profile cases of corruption where people occupying high offices of leadership are not being prosecuted.

During oversight Parliament committees such as the Statutory Bodies and State Enterprise and Public Accounts Committee, it has been revealed that corruption is the order of the day. The president should take this seriously and act and not hang on the usual praise of international rating agencies who claim corruption is low in Botswana.

As promised by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Nonofo Molefhi the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Bill should be brought before Parliament during the SONA session. The minister must also make his commitment in strengthening and empowering the institutions that deal with these matters.

Unemployment
“As you all know, Botswana faces a myriad of challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, HIV and AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, amongst others. Therefore, one of my top priorities as the President of this country will be to address the problem of unemployment especially amongst the young people who constitute the majority of our population.

The young people, who make 60 percent of the population of this country, are the future leaders and therefore investing in them is building the bridge to the future,” President Masisi said in April. This is yet to get underway.

Nothing much has been done and Batswana await the implementation of a combination of strategies required to stimulate economic growth which was to be implemented as a matter of urgency. We have new graduates who recently joined other unemployed youth. The issue of unemployment is a ticking bomb and needs the attention it deserves.  Unemployment has in some quarters been associated with most of the social ills in the country.

These are the future leaders who demand answers now. There is still skills mismatch and this has made the industry to shun new graduates; therefore, the president has to firmly speak about the country’s vocational education.

Economic Diversification Drive (EDD)
This is one animal that is yet to be understood. Results are still to be realised and tangible proof be availed to the effect that indeed the programme is benefiting Batswana. The EDD has been introduced as an important strategy that is aimed at giving Batswana an opportunity to set up industries, to empower themselves and, in turn, create the much-needed employment. But where are we? Where are our success stories and what is being done to improve the programme?

The president explained early this year that in order to give concrete effect to the economic diversification aspirations, Government will prioritise the implementation of Cluster Development across various sectors, particularly the prioritised sectors of diamond beneficiation, tourism, beef, mining and financial services.

He said Government will also expedite the implementation of the Special Economic Zones which will contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of this country. It has however been observed that even SPEDU is struggling to get things running. It has emerged that companies in the SPEDU area are failing to sustain themselves.

The SPEDU revitalisation strategy has taken time to be implemented. It was reported recently that so far around 750 jobs have been created but the number continues to fluctuate because of challenges faced by companies that operate in the SPEDU region. There is lack of serviced land which makes it difficult to attract investors to set up businesses in the region.

Land and housing
Land allocation acceleration is also key and thousands of people are still waiting to be allocated land, especially for residential use. Others have already died before they could have a place they call home. This has depressed many citizens and it now seems to be igniting tribal fights as some tribes especially those in the periphery of the capital city feel cheated over their rights to own land.

The problem in the delay of allocation of land which all along has been an urban issue has now spread to rural areas. The Botswana Land Policy, which was adopted in 2015, has to be implemented. Government’s promise to give priority to the youth when allocating land for agriculture and business purposes still remains a dream for most of the young people who want to go into business.

Labour movements
His commitment in working with labour movements, and not against, has to come out clear. After promising to resuscitate the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) the government moved swiftly to derecognise most of the public service sector unions. This left thousands of public servants without a place to deliberate on their salaries and conditions of service.

Government being the largest employer has the responsibility to protect the country’s economy. For the past 10 years, public servants have been disgruntled and with the recent developments, trade unions have started to think they were sold a dummy, as the current administration is just a continuation of the past one, after all.

Media
As a guarantee for a free press, the laws that were promised, especially the Freedom of Information should reach parliament with the same urgency that the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities is likely to. The media industry has through various structures such as Editors Forum and Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union placed their pleas before the President.

The industry is also on the brink of collapse because of the unwritten policy of advertising ban, which has to be lifted. If the industry is allowed to collapse because of this policy, democracy would be jeopardised as checks and balances and accountability would have no one to act on.

“There are no political hermaphrodites”, says former two-time Member of Parliament for Gaborone West South, Robert Molefhabangwe, as he unravels the riddle of the collapsing Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Endowed with the gift of the gab and without doubt, one of the finest MPs that ever graced the hallowed halls of Botswana’s Parliament, Bob, has never been a fan of the opposition coalition (UDC) – as constituted in its current form. “It would have been by sheer and mere luck if this coalition had borne any positive fruits,” he said in a recent interview. And indeed, Bob has consistently argued against this coalition, perhaps taking comfort from the benefit of hindsight.

Just a fortnight ago, the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), was expelled from the opposition coalition, UDC, following a prolonged topsy-turvy, relationship. The coalition now remains with three partners – Botswana National Front; Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP).

Ahead of the 2014 general elections in which the UDC performed admirably, garnering a historic 17 Members of Parliament in the absence of the BCP – Molefhabangwe warned that the coalition model was akin to building castles in the air. Looking back on his time capsule, he concedes that Opposition MPs did increase post 2014 general elections, but contrary to popular belief he insists it was not on account of the coming together of the opposition parties.

Two things – the Botswana Democratic Party protest vote against the split that bequaethed BMD - and secondly the sympathy vote for “my nephew” – Gomolemo Motswaledi, the BMD leader who died in a freak car accident just before the general elections – were responsible for that gallant performance by opposition. But today as we approach the 2019 general elections without these factors, Molefhabangwe posits a rhetorical question, “Where are we”?

Somehow, he has an answer for it. He fears that on account of the flawed basis of the coalition, which was not a unity of the united, opposition activists risk becoming “opportunistic politicians” in like manner with opportunistic diseases that prey and fester on viruses. For example he wonders what the Opposition parties would talk about if John Kalafatis were not killed or if the National Petroleum Fund scandal was not exposed or better still, if one eligible bachelor had married?

Simple minds discuss people while serious minds discuss issues, he says, explaining that; “We (Opposition) failed to concentrate our minds on issues and wasted our time on trivial pursuits”.  So, from the get-go, Molefhabangwe contends that the coalition template that produced the UDC was flawed because the constituent members – however desperate their ideological persuasions – never bothered to subject themselves to a value system or minimum programme of action to undergird their unity.

If ever they did, he says it was cosmetic, because as the Greek philosopher, Plato, says ‘Unity is for the united’ – hence a united people cannot be shaken. But, as current developments prove, the UDC partners do not respect each other; they do not like each other nor defer to each other, neither do they want to be reconciled to each other.

This group has failed to agree on an approach to tackle their common enemy – which is Batswana’s poverty in the midst of wealth; a deteriorating education system and the growing trend in which Batswana are being dispossesed of their land and turned into serfs and labourers in the ranches and farms of foreigners and the local elite. How then can a group that is not united hope to form any unity, asks Molefhabangwe and what assurance can such a group give people that it will be united at elections time? 

The verdict: “It is better to disperse now and never to unite again,” he says because such a group cannot hope to form a government. Molefhabangwe's two terms in Parliament spanned 1999 to 2009. He inherited Gaborone South constituency from Paul Rantao following the 2004 delimitation, the constituency was renamed Gaborone West South.

Today the constituency is known as Gaborone Bonnignton South and is represented by President of Alliance for Progressives (AP), Ndaba Gaolathe – son of the late former Minister of Finance Development Planning and long time BDP MP, Baledzi Gaolathe.AP is a breakaway party of the BMD, which also broke away from the BDP over disgruntlement with the then party leader, Lt. Gen. Ian Khama’s administration style.

In the same breath, the BCP is a breakaway of the BNF and Molefhabangwe believes it is time that evreybody must “go back home” (Mongwe le mongwe a a boele ga mmaagwe).

Launched in 2015, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme is the largest African philan- thropic initiative devoted to entrepreneurship. The pro- gramme represents a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, grow and support 10 000 African entrepreneurs, em- powering them to create a mil- lion jobs and add $10 billion in revenues to Africa’s economy.

The programme is inspired by three guiding principles, the inclusive economic philosophy of Africapitalism, based on the belief that a vibrant African-led private sector is the key to un- locking Africa’s economic and social potential, the commit- ment to drive African economic growth through the fostering of African entrepreneurship; and the mission to institutionalize luck and create an environment where home-grown Pan-African companies in various sectors can flourish.

 “We are already seeing the results,” says the founder and Chairman of the Foundation, Tony Elumelu. “Our entrepreneurs have gen- erated over USD 52 million in revenue, an increase from just over $18 million recorded before the programme, and they have created almost 12 000 jobs so far.” Now in its fourth year, TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered 4 470 entrepre- neurs, 4 000 funded directly by the Foundation and 470 funded by Partners of the Foundation.

This year, 51 African countries were represented in the batch of selected 1 000 entrepreneurs, with Nigeria comprising of 26 percent. Western Africa ac- counted for 423 entrepreneurs from 16 countries, Eastern Af- rica had 392 entrepreneurs from 16 countries, 86 entrepreneurs were from Central Africa, 74 from Southern Africa - 29 from Botswana and 25 entrepreneurs were drawn from Northern Africa.

The Tony Elumelu Foun- dation recognizes that one of the key challenges facing Africa’s entrepreneurs is the state of the overall enabling environment in which they operate. “Those of us who have achieved success know that we have had a helping hand - luck- we need to create the platforms to institutionalise and democratise that luck,” Elu- melu said last week at the fourth annual TEF Entrepreneurship Forum in Lagos.

In addition to providing direct support to selected African entrepreneurs, the Foundation’s policy research and advocacy arm, the Africapi- talism Institute is engaging the 20 000 members of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Pro- gramme Network to ascertain key challenges they face, and develop solutions to improve their competitiveness.

THE SURVEY
The Institute found out in their recent surveys on African Entrepreneurship that start-up capital remains the greatest chal- lenge to entrepreneurs across the region. When asked what can be done to help entrepreneurs gain access to capital, the top sugges- tion from accelerators surveyed was that banks and other formal lenders should reduce the col- lateral requirements.

Operating costs was another limitation, with 53 percent of respondents indicating that it was not easy to obtain the necessary machinery, equipment, technology or raw materials needed to operate, citing the high cost of land and office space as the primary cost concern.

 The second costliest operating expense is electric power, with 73 percent of re- spondents saying that govern- ments could incentivise small businesses by reducing power outages. With respect to the legal system and the resolution of contract disputes, 82 percent of respondents said that the lengthy time to resolve disputes was the biggest problem, and 70 percent cited corruption in the judicial system as a concern.

Respondents also indicated that the cost of registration and the difficulty posed by the overall number and variety of govern- ment department involved in obtaining required permission was very problematic. More than half said that compliance with government regulations and operating requirements once the firm is established was only slightly burdensome or not burdensome at all.

Fifty-eight percent of entrepreneurs said that it is not at all easy to start a business in their country, due to a variety of factors including access to capital, which is espe- cially important due to the high cost of core inputs. Sixty-five percent of entrepreneurs said that the availability of govern- ment incentives to, for example, reduce their tax burden and lower the cost of inputs such as land and capital was very important.

 Ninety percent of responding entrepreneurs said they were confident they will be able to find employees with the right skills for their businesses. However, although entrepreneurs said skilled labour is available, 62 percent stated that the high cost of employing them was prohibitive.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation envisions unlocking obstacles that Africa’s entrepreneurs face as they grow their start-ups into small to medium enterprises (SMEs), their SMEs into national growth companies, and their national growth companies into African multinationals. “We decided that national boundaries should not be a barrier in democratis- ing luck. These young Africans justify our confidence, our hope & most importantly, our trust. We realise that the more we do, the more we still need to do,” Elumelu said.

According to the Gospel of Mathew and John, Pontius Pilate asked Jewish leaders and chief priests, “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” The Jewish leadership together with an unruly mob of people in Jerusalem, answered, “Crucify him!” Again Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” For religious sensitivity, permit me to skip the horror that then followed. But as Pilate put it, Jesus’ own people and chief priests handed him to face his gruesome demise.

But it would neither be the first nor the last. Centuries thereafter, when black Southern Africans were facing bloody extinction from a murderous and sadistic apartheid regime in South Africa, Israel supported the white supremacist regime. Israel provided expertise and technology that was central to South Africa’s development of its nuclear bombs. Israel supported the killing of black women and children without an iota of shame. It was therefore, not surprising in 2016 when Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon openly declared support for Islamic State. Israel would go on to arm and fund IS and at least other 12 rebel groups operating in Syria. The military support, included assault rifles, machine guns, mortar launchers and transport vehicles. Despite the political and financial capital, it carries, is this the kind of company that the ‘New Jerusalem’ faction really wants to keep?

The pertinent question is; should we be surprised by the alleged intimate relationship between the ‘New Jerusalem’ faction and Israel security apparatus? In the light of what we know now, the answer is a definite and defiant, NO! Although the name of the faction says it all, the reality is that, as we speak, P118 million looted from National Petroleum Fund is in the hands of Israeli security firm, Dignia Systems. As how it reached there, only former Director General of Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and his close-knit cabal can tell. For some reason, this is the same cabal behind the ‘New Jerusalem’ camp. What a coincidence! But we cannot leave our country’s fate to coincidence. We need answers.

The sad reality is that, as securocrats and state security agencies appropriated both the economic and political space, ultimately dictating the body-politic narrative, they did so with the conscious help of Israeli security apparatus.  It is apparent that they could not have attained securitisation without outsourcing key national security components to middlemen and ‘mercenaries’ with deep connections to the Israeli security/military-industrial complex. Under the guise of a web of joint ventures, dummy companies and middlemen, Israel continued to dictate and drive defence and security agenda in Botswana.

Israeli security establishments enjoyed special procurement dispensation with little to no competition. Israeli security firms did not only act as catalyst in the securitisation drive, but also defined and dictated our national security agenda and architecture. The DIS in particular, was heavily reliant on Israeli expertise for hardware and trade-in-services. Intrusive surveillance and monitoring paraphernalia was solely Israeli. Further to this, the opaque relationship between Israeli firm, Timor Consulting and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was indicative of the extent of Israeli involvement and influence on Botswana’s ruling elites.

The relationship was a clear expression of Israel’s desire to extend her influence beyond the confines of the defence and security sector. The sad reality is that, the current Khama-Masisi fight has left the country polarised and vulnerable to ‘third forces’ seeking to manipulate ethnicity and other social to blackmail us into bloodbath that will serve their interests. By the look of things, driven by self-serving agendas, the ‘New Jerusalem’ camp stand ready to sacrifice the country in pursuit of illusive, idealised and eschatological New Jerusalem.’

According to the Gospel of Mathew and John, Pontius Pilate asked Jewish leaders and chief priests, “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” The Jewish leadership together with an unruly mob of people in Jerusalem, answered, “Crucify him!” Again Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” For religious sensitivity, permit me to skip the horror that then followed. But as Pilate put it, Jesus’ own people and chief priests handed him to face his gruesome demise.

But it would neither be the first nor the last. Centuries thereafter, when black Southern Africans were facing bloody extinction from a murderous and sadistic apartheid regime in South Africa, Israel supported the white supremacist regime. Israel provided expertise and technology that was central to South Africa’s development of its nuclear bombs. Israel supported the killing of black women and children without an iota of shame. It was therefore, not surprising in 2016 when Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon openly declared support for Islamic State. Israel would go on to arm and fund IS and at least other 12 rebel groups operating in Syria. The military support, included assault rifles, machine guns, mortar launchers and transport vehicles. Despite the political and financial capital, it carries, is this the kind of company that the ‘New Jerusalem’ faction really wants to keep?

The pertinent question is; should we be surprised by the alleged intimate relationship between the ‘New Jerusalem’ faction and Israel security apparatus? In the light of what we know now, the answer is a definite and defiant, NO! Although the name of the faction says it all, the reality is that, as we speak, P118 million looted from National Petroleum Fund is in the hands of Israeli security firm, Dignia Systems. As how it reached there, only former Director General of Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and his close-knit cabal can tell. For some reason, this is the same cabal behind the ‘New Jerusalem’ camp. What a coincidence! But we cannot leave our country’s fate to coincidence. We need answers.

The sad reality is that, as securocrats and state security agencies appropriated both the economic and political space, ultimately dictating the body-politic narrative, they did so with the conscious help of Israeli security apparatus.  It is apparent that they could not have attained securitisation without outsourcing key national security components to middlemen and ‘mercenaries’ with deep connections to the Israeli security/military-industrial complex. Under the guise of a web of joint ventures, dummy companies and middlemen, Israel continued to dictate and drive defence and security agenda in Botswana.

Israeli security establishments enjoyed special procurement dispensation with little to no competition. Israeli security firms did not only act as catalyst in the securitisation drive, but also defined and dictated our national security agenda and architecture. The DIS in particular, was heavily reliant on Israeli expertise for hardware and trade-in-services. Intrusive surveillance and monitoring paraphernalia was solely Israeli. Further to this, the opaque relationship between Israeli firm, Timor Consulting and the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was indicative of the extent of Israeli involvement and influence on Botswana’s ruling elites.

The relationship was a clear expression of Israel’s desire to extend her influence beyond the confines of the defence and security sector. The sad reality is that, the current Khama-Masisi fight has left the country polarised and vulnerable to ‘third forces’ seeking to manipulate ethnicity and other social to blackmail us into bloodbath that will serve their interests. By the look of things, driven by self-serving agendas, the ‘New Jerusalem’ camp stand ready to sacrifice the country in pursuit of illusive, idealised and eschatological New Jerusalem.’

Government has spared P6 million to build a water drainage and abate flooding at the local government enclave in Ramotswa.

The tender for the drainage project is currently floating and will close on 11th December 2018. The enclave, which currently houses South East District Council (SEDC) offices and police station is prone to flooding during the rainy season.Assistant Minister Botlogilwe Tshireletso acknowledged being aware that SEDC offices including Botswana police station are prone to flooding during the rainy season. She was responding to a query from area MP Samuel Rantuana.

She said her ministry has sourced P6 million for the design and construction of 2.4 kilometres storm water drainage facilities starting from Choppies store to Notwane River.The drainage is expected to direct the flow of water from Ramotswa police station towards the border and will include earth drains on both sides of the road and replacement of culverts on junctions. Rantuana had asked minister of Local Government and Rural Development to also say when the Ramotswa Storm Water Drainage Master Plan will be implemented.

Tshireletso said the construction of new Rural Administration Centre Chamber and offices has not been catered for in the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and District Development Plan (DDP) 8 due to budgetary constraints.However, she said the project may be considered with other competing needs and national priorities during the Mid-Term Review of NDP 11, funds permitting.  She conceded that there is no storm water drainage Master Plan for Ramotswa and it is not included in NDP 11 or DDP 8 due to budgetary constraints. This will be amongst the district projects to be considered during the Mid-Term Review of NDP 11.

Government has spared P6 million to build a water drainage and abate flooding at the local government enclave in Ramotswa.

The tender for the drainage project is currently floating and will close on 11th December 2018. The enclave, which currently houses South East District Council (SEDC) offices and police station is prone to flooding during the rainy season.Assistant Minister Botlogilwe Tshireletso acknowledged being aware that SEDC offices including Botswana police station are prone to flooding during the rainy season. She was responding to a query from area MP Samuel Rantuana.

She said her ministry has sourced P6 million for the design and construction of 2.4 kilometres storm water drainage facilities starting from Choppies store to Notwane River.The drainage is expected to direct the flow of water from Ramotswa police station towards the border and will include earth drains on both sides of the road and replacement of culverts on junctions. Rantuana had asked minister of Local Government and Rural Development to also say when the Ramotswa Storm Water Drainage Master Plan will be implemented.

Tshireletso said the construction of new Rural Administration Centre Chamber and offices has not been catered for in the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and District Development Plan (DDP) 8 due to budgetary constraints.However, she said the project may be considered with other competing needs and national priorities during the Mid-Term Review of NDP 11, funds permitting.  She conceded that there is no storm water drainage Master Plan for Ramotswa and it is not included in NDP 11 or DDP 8 due to budgetary constraints. This will be amongst the district projects to be considered during the Mid-Term Review of NDP 11.

Member of Parliament for Gantsi North Noah Salakae says President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Dr. Ian Khama should be cautioned that they are not bigger than the country.

“We may not know what led to their standoff. But let us not be fooled. It is clear there was a promise. It would be more helpful if the President could give us the background so we lay the matter to its logical conclusion. It is not enough for the president to say peace has eluded them. So what?

“Does the president need help or he is just saying it because Khama’s adversaries have advised him to say so? If he really needs help why not furnish us with all the necessary information Pastor Jackson refers to in his prophecy. A promise is a promise,” said Salakae when debating the State of the Nation Address.

He argued that if Minister Tshekedi Khama was promised the position of Vice President why not give it to him because it was a promise? He wondered why if there was a gentleman’s agreement that Isaac Kgosi will stay put in his office post-Khama era, why somersault without a word?

The legislator told Parliament that he agrees with the school of thought that Khama must also understand that a secret deal gone sour is as good as failed. The long and short of it according to Salakae is that the two leaders must not hold the country to ransom because they fooled each other not Batswana. They must fully demonstrate that they are statesmen of repute who are not driven by selfishness otherwise history will judge them harshly, he said.

“For a longtime we have lived a lie in Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). From inception we never had a vision of what we want to become as a nation; instead the sitting president’s personal tastes defined the national agenda, with the greatest beneficiary of this agenda turning out to be those in the foreign lands and the privileged few.

“This is why I tend to differ with MP Sadique Kebonang that the reason why Batswana are not so successful is because they lack the spirit of brotherhood, or not supportive of each other. The truth is Batswana are unhappy; they have been made hopeless; they have been turned into a desperate society, good only for blankets donations, tents and diphaphatha in the midst of plenty.”

He pointed out that it is not that they are not supportive of each other, but they want a new beginning and “I entirely agree with them.” Salakae indicated that he welcomes wholeheartedly the law on declaration of assets, and is hopeful it will curb excessive greed and crippling corruption that has become a trademark of the BDP regime for a longtime now. In my view, it is this greed that is also at the centre of the Khama-Masisi feud,” he posited.

Member of Parliament for Gantsi North Noah Salakae says President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Dr. Ian Khama should be cautioned that they are not bigger than the country.

“We may not know what led to their standoff. But let us not be fooled. It is clear there was a promise. It would be more helpful if the President could give us the background so we lay the matter to its logical conclusion. It is not enough for the president to say peace has eluded them. So what?

“Does the president need help or he is just saying it because Khama’s adversaries have advised him to say so? If he really needs help why not furnish us with all the necessary information Pastor Jackson refers to in his prophecy. A promise is a promise,” said Salakae when debating the State of the Nation Address.

He argued that if Minister Tshekedi Khama was promised the position of Vice President why not give it to him because it was a promise? He wondered why if there was a gentleman’s agreement that Isaac Kgosi will stay put in his office post-Khama era, why somersault without a word?

The legislator told Parliament that he agrees with the school of thought that Khama must also understand that a secret deal gone sour is as good as failed. The long and short of it according to Salakae is that the two leaders must not hold the country to ransom because they fooled each other not Batswana. They must fully demonstrate that they are statesmen of repute who are not driven by selfishness otherwise history will judge them harshly, he said.

“For a longtime we have lived a lie in Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). From inception we never had a vision of what we want to become as a nation; instead the sitting president’s personal tastes defined the national agenda, with the greatest beneficiary of this agenda turning out to be those in the foreign lands and the privileged few.

“This is why I tend to differ with MP Sadique Kebonang that the reason why Batswana are not so successful is because they lack the spirit of brotherhood, or not supportive of each other. The truth is Batswana are unhappy; they have been made hopeless; they have been turned into a desperate society, good only for blankets donations, tents and diphaphatha in the midst of plenty.”

He pointed out that it is not that they are not supportive of each other, but they want a new beginning and “I entirely agree with them.” Salakae indicated that he welcomes wholeheartedly the law on declaration of assets, and is hopeful it will curb excessive greed and crippling corruption that has become a trademark of the BDP regime for a longtime now. In my view, it is this greed that is also at the centre of the Khama-Masisi feud,” he posited.

Suspended Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Mogoditshane Parliamentary candidate Tshepang Mabaila’s appeal has been dismissed. It is alleged Mabaila’s undoing was when he offered to broker peace between the current and former president.

Mabaila was suspended for five years for bringing the name of the party into disrepute and sponsoring a motion of no confidence against President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi. The motion was tabled by Leader of Opposition Advocate Duma Boko. Mabaila then appealed the decision to President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi. Last week Friday, Mabaila’s appeal to the president was dismissed. According to sources within the BDP Mabaila’s appeal was dismissed following media reports that he would avail himself to resolve the standoff between Dr. Masisi and his predecessor Dr. Ian Khama.

His utterances are said to have upset President Masisi who felt the youthful Mabaila is jumping the gun and wants to get involved in matters way beyond him. The president is said to have disclosed to his close associates that Mabaila is too forward.
However, in an interview with Botswana Guardian this week, Mabaila dismissed the claim indicating that the president dismissed his appeal because of someone within the BDP who always mislead the president. According to Mabaila he is confident that had Dr. Masisi not been influenced to make such decision he would have pardoned him.

“There is a thorn within the BDP who is dividing the party. This person influenced the first decision for my suspension and the dismissal of my appeal. I believe the president given chance and space would have come up with a different decision,” said Mabaila who indicated that he has not yet given up on the President and would soon write to him requesting that his appeal be looked into again.

Mabaila stated that he was surprised to learn that his appeal has been dismissed by people from Mogoditshane. He said he has not received the letter dismissing his appeal. “I was shocked to hear that the party Secretary General Mpho Balopi had delivered the letter to the BDP Mogoditshane Branch Committee before me as the affected party. Even today (Tuesday) I have not received my letter but Kweneng East Regional Secretary called me and said they had my letter.

“I believe Balopi as my elder, leader and Parliamentary candidate like me could have called me to deliver the news to me,” he said. Mabaila of Mabaila Foundation revealed that should he not be successful in being reinstated he would still contest in the 2019 general elections. He explained that all he wants to do is to represent in Parliament the people of Mogoditshane adding that he would win convincingly.

Mabaila has maintained that he believes like any other Motswana and BDP youth that he can help resolve the standoff between the two leaders. “Look I am close to former president and I have great respect for the current president. I am a concerned youth and member of the BDP I believe I can talk to both leaders to find a common ground for the sake of the BDP and the country. If given a chance I can get to both of them because Masisi due to his leadership he is accessible and is always willing to listen,” said Mabaila.
If Mabaila fails in his second attempt, BDP Mogoditshane would be expected to go for primary elections next month.

Suspended Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Mogoditshane Parliamentary candidate Tshepang Mabaila’s appeal has been dismissed. It is alleged Mabaila’s undoing was when he offered to broker peace between the current and former president.

Mabaila was suspended for five years for bringing the name of the party into disrepute and sponsoring a motion of no confidence against President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi. The motion was tabled by Leader of Opposition Advocate Duma Boko. Mabaila then appealed the decision to President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi. Last week Friday, Mabaila’s appeal to the president was dismissed. According to sources within the BDP Mabaila’s appeal was dismissed following media reports that he would avail himself to resolve the standoff between Dr. Masisi and his predecessor Dr. Ian Khama.

His utterances are said to have upset President Masisi who felt the youthful Mabaila is jumping the gun and wants to get involved in matters way beyond him. The president is said to have disclosed to his close associates that Mabaila is too forward.
However, in an interview with Botswana Guardian this week, Mabaila dismissed the claim indicating that the president dismissed his appeal because of someone within the BDP who always mislead the president. According to Mabaila he is confident that had Dr. Masisi not been influenced to make such decision he would have pardoned him.

“There is a thorn within the BDP who is dividing the party. This person influenced the first decision for my suspension and the dismissal of my appeal. I believe the president given chance and space would have come up with a different decision,” said Mabaila who indicated that he has not yet given up on the President and would soon write to him requesting that his appeal be looked into again.

Mabaila stated that he was surprised to learn that his appeal has been dismissed by people from Mogoditshane. He said he has not received the letter dismissing his appeal. “I was shocked to hear that the party Secretary General Mpho Balopi had delivered the letter to the BDP Mogoditshane Branch Committee before me as the affected party. Even today (Tuesday) I have not received my letter but Kweneng East Regional Secretary called me and said they had my letter.

“I believe Balopi as my elder, leader and Parliamentary candidate like me could have called me to deliver the news to me,” he said. Mabaila of Mabaila Foundation revealed that should he not be successful in being reinstated he would still contest in the 2019 general elections. He explained that all he wants to do is to represent in Parliament the people of Mogoditshane adding that he would win convincingly.

Mabaila has maintained that he believes like any other Motswana and BDP youth that he can help resolve the standoff between the two leaders. “Look I am close to former president and I have great respect for the current president. I am a concerned youth and member of the BDP I believe I can talk to both leaders to find a common ground for the sake of the BDP and the country. If given a chance I can get to both of them because Masisi due to his leadership he is accessible and is always willing to listen,” said Mabaila.
If Mabaila fails in his second attempt, BDP Mogoditshane would be expected to go for primary elections next month.