Keorapetse’s Urgent appeal for 2019 Party funding rejected
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The Member of Parliament for Selibe-Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse’s attempts to post an urgent motion on State Funding of political funding as an urgent matter of public importance under the Standing Orders of Parliament was this week immediately shot down by the Speaker who informed him that the matter has been discussed in the past and agreed to and that the Government will have to come up with an Act to implement it.
Although Keorapetse’s reasoning was specific to the 2019 general election, the Speaker said Government must be given space to enact such a law. The Legislator had wanted to ride on what could be an apparent willingness to listen on the part of the State President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. Following the salary hikes for politicians and disciplined forces it is clear that Keorapetse is certain that Government is willing to gice yes as an answer to everything that requires cash solutions.
In his submission to the Speaker Keorapetse observed that Parliament has completed the 2019/2020 budget including the Committee of Supply debate. “I have noticed that there was nothing on either state funding of parties nor campaign funding. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development tabled Supplementary Estimates which covered inter alia Ministries responsible for Education and the Environment. Again there was nothing in the supplementaries for 2019 campaign funding. You’d know that the Standing Orders limited me to make an addition into the budget proposed, ie the amendment I would have sought could have increase the budget.”
He wanted Parliament to resolve to ask government to provide 2019 campaign funding for political parties represented in Parliament and or in accordance with 2014 electoral performance. “I am not at this point asking for Parliament to resolve on the General Party Funding that is normally debated or is under consideration at the All-Party Conference. This is strictly about 2019 General Elections. Parliament can sanction a Supementary Budget for this purpose,” he said.
According to Keorapetse IEC made some changes like supplementary voter registration etc for the next financial year. He said this change provided an opportunity for Parliament to increase the budget to enable campaign funding for 2019. However, this opportunity was missed. “ I am aware a motion on public funding of political parties was adopted by the 10th Parliament but has not been implemented.
This one is different in that it calls for Campaign Funding for 2019 General Elections…not the implementation of the motion on Public Funding of Parties. The latter is comprehensive (includes funding for party administration and activities plus campaign funding) and may require an Act of Parliament, as it is the case in countries with public funding. What I’m asking for through this motion is executive decision to provide funding for 2019 elections whilst a comprehensive funding is still being considered,” he narrated.
The Selibe Phikwe West opined that even assuming the motion is similar to the one adopted previously, which in his view is not, “I’m of the humble view that The 11th Parliament is not precluded from debating matters resolved by previous Parliaments.” “ I am of the view that every election year political parties and individual politicians face a mammoth task of funding the country’s democracy with the state through the IEC only assuming the role of a referee.
It has become expensive for parties and politicians to campaign for office as elections related materials and services have become exorbitant. Modern technology including but not limited to social media has made running for public office very expensive and hard for the youth and women whose unfortunate position in the country’s economy is well known. Many politicians who go to the polls as incumbents are compelled to use their gratuities to fund their campaigns and some who lost elections became instant paupers.”
Keorapetse said Botswana politicians have become vulnerable to manipulation by the Business community, and other sectional interests because of lack of party and campaign funding. “I’m also aware that there has been a change of guard with President MEK Masisi now at the helm. He has called political parties to a meeting and indicated his desire to resuscitate the All Party Conference. The All Party Conference has started some work. He may accede to this request by Parliament if it adopts the motion. He has, for the first time ordered the live coverage of opposition leaders’ responses to SONA and the budget speech. Therefore, this attempt is worth trying,” he reasoned.
He stated that it is for this reason that Botswana can start with campaign funding for 2019 as a pilot project for a fully-fledged party by the state. In its raw shape and form, Keorapetse had crafted his motion thus: “This House resolves to request government to provide campaign funding to political parties represented in Parliament and or using 2014 electoral performance for 2019 general elections whilst still considering comprehensive and fully fledged public funding of political parties”
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Mascom, Letshego partner to deliver the MyZaka instant loan
Letshego Botswana has recently partnered with Mascom to launch the Mascom MyZaka Instant Loan, a customer focused mobile money microloan service designed to provide customers with swift and convenient access to funds, driven by the underlying theme of “Ithuse” meaning “help yourself”
The loan is said to have been developed through a partnership driven by a deep customer focus with the key objectives of access, convenience and flexible financial support to customers of Letshego Botswana and Mascom through instantly disbursed short-term loans from P50 to P1 500 over the period of one month.
Letshego’s head of transformation, Molebogeng Malomo highlighted that working through agile methodologies, the partnership was able to develop and be released as what they call a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or solution. “In keeping up with the spirit of design thinking and agile methodologies, the experiences and viewpoints of both Letshego Botswana and Mascom’s customers will be valuable to inform further enhancements to the Mascom MyZaka solution,” he said.
He further noted that the partnership and the development of the MyZaka instant loan will provide both the organizations to diversify their offering and customer base, while also offering the customer more choices and flexibility to initiate and be in control of their loan requests through the self-service mobile based application.
Mascom’s Chief Executive Officer, Dzene Makhwade-Seboni also alluded that their origins, priorities and initiatives are firmly rooted in Botswana and in the success of all Batswana, and that their strategy and intent is supported by embracing innovative problem-solving.
“The speed with which Letshego has grown over the years gives us confidence that we have partnered with the right service provider. Their expertise and most of all, innovation, a value we both share, will be beneficial to MyZaka Mobile Money for growth and for the convenience of our subscribers,” she concluded.
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DCEC granted warrant to arrest Khama twins
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has been granted permission to apprehend the former Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama, and his twin brother Anthony Khama.
Information gathered by this publication suggests that the DCEC is actively searching for the Khama brothers, this is in connection with events that transpired whilst Tshekedi was Minister of Environment. The duo is currently in exile in South Africa together with their elder brother, and former President Lt Gen Ian Khama.
Approximately two weeks ago, the corruption-busting agency discreetly filed for an arrest warrant that was approved by the Broadhurst Magistrate Court for the two to be taken into custody, according to a highly placed source within the government enclave.
DCEC is also said to have filed an affidavit signed by a high-ranking officer known to this publication. Reports indicate that after being presented with details of the case, the Broadhurst magistrate issued the agency an arrest warrant.
It is also believed that the agency has been conducting extensive investigations into the supposed suspects for quite some time. Furthermore, Weekend Post has it on good word that the DCEC has been looking for methods to summon the two for questioning but has been unsuccessful.
According to unconfirmed reports, DCEC met with attorney Victor Ramalepa, who refused to accept the summons, saying that he is not their attorney. Furthermore, it is believed that DCEC has enlisted the assistance of the Botswana Police Service (BPS) in flagging the suspects’ names in the International Criminal Police Organisation INTERPOL.
Responding to WeekendPost enquiries, DCEC spokesperson Lentswe Motshoganetsi said, “I am not in good position to confirm or deny the allegation,” adding that such allegations may fall within the operational purview of the DCEC.
When contacted for comment, Ramalepa briefly stated that he is unaware of the purported arrest warrant. “I know nothing about the warrant and I haven’t been served with anything,” he said.
Meanwhile, former president Lt Gen Ian Khama recently issued a statement stating that DIS is intensifying the harassment and intimidation of him, family, friends and office employees.
“It is reprehensible for state officials and agencies to abuse government resources to terrorise their own citizens for personal gain,” said the former president in a statement.
He also stated that his brother TK’s staff and security were ordered to falsely implicate him. “Their desperate tactics will never work, it only serves to motivate me more to pursue regime change and free Botswana from tyranny,” he said
This comes after the corruption busting agency wants to interview the alleged suspects as they are still hiding in South Africa since last year.
Despite the hostility between government and Khama family going unabated, last month, Masisi extended an olive branch to Khama in political rally, indicating that he hopes the two of them settle their differences, of which the former responded by welcoming the gesture.
Khama further said his brother, Tshekedi, will facilitate the reconciliation of his behalf. Many have indicated that Masisi did not say what he said in good faith, and was only scoring political brownies since he was in Khama’s territory in Shoshong.
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DCEC’s Tshepo Pilane still has his mojo
Tshepo Pilane silenced his critics after being named the head of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) in May of last year and served his opponents humble pie. Many believed he would only last for a month, but almost a year later, he is still standing.
Pilane, a trained soldier whose appointment surprised both the general public and some officers within the DCEC walls, has never glanced back in his duty to steer the DCEC ship forward.
It is alleged that immediately after his appointment the man embarked on a nation-wide trip touring the DCEC offices across the country in order to confirm and reaffirm the DCEC’s mandate. Sources from inside the DCEC claim that Pilane won the hearts of many DCEC employees due to his humility and plain message; “people at the top of the DCEC will come and go but the mandate of the DCEC remains relevant and unchanged.”
Pilane was appointed the Acting DCEC Director General at a time when the organisation was undergoing turbulence through court proceedings in which the suspended Director General Tymon Katlholo had interdicted the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) from accessing the DCEC premises. At the time, the DIS had raided the DCEC offices in the absence of Katlholo claiming to be looking for high profile corruption cases allegedly held by Katlholo.
At the time Pilane was Head of the DCEC Intelligence Division holding the position of Senior Assistant Director General reporting directly to the Deputy Director General Operations Ms Priscilla Israel. Contrary to his detractors, Pilane who is a reserved and humble person by nature won the support and backing of many DCEC officers due to his unassuming nature.
In a recent questionnaire sent to the DCEC regarding Pilane’s term in office, the DCEC was resolute on its commitment towards the fight against corruption. When quizzed on allegations of rife corruption since he took over, Pilane through his Public Relations (PR) office stated that the corruption landscape in Botswana remains unchanged as the DCEC continues to receive reports on allegations of corruption with sectors such as procurement (tenders and supplies), Transport (licensing and certificates), and land (dubious allocation and collusion) still leading issues reported. This trend has been consistence in the DCEC database for more than 10 years.
When further quizzed on accusations that suggest that due to the infighting at the agency, particularly at the top management, Investigations of cases has dropped significantly the DCEC claimed ignorance to the matter, stating that they are not aware of any “infights” at the DCEC “at the top management”, further stating that, investigations of cases has increased significantly, contrary to the allegations raised. “The DCEC is currently seeking new ways of expediting the investigations in order to fast track its enforcement role,” said the DCEC Head of Public Relations Lentswe Motshoganetsi. He further stated that the DCEC is in pursuit of high profile cases involving money and assets valued over P900 million. Three companies are involved in the scandal and two cases have already been committed to court while on one, investigations are about to be completed.
When WeekendPost inquired about Pilane’s roadmap, the DCEC stated that in the past, anti-corruption interventions were reactive, particularly in dealing with national projects that involve large sums of money. It was further started that in most instances investigating such matters takes a long time and in most instances, the money looted form Government in never recovered. As a result, the DCEC has taken a deliberate stance to attach its officers from the Corruption Prevention Division to be part of the implementation of these projects before, during, and after implementation.
The DCEC cited the Economic Stimulus Programme which, although meant to grow the economy and uplift Batswana from poverty, yielded incidents of corruption and poor workmanship. To date, the DCEC is still grappling with cases as some projects were not done, or were completed with defects beyond repair. Currently the DCEC is involved at the Ministry of Education conducting project risk management in the Multiple Path Ways Program at Moeng College and Maun Senior School. This intervention will spread to other sectors of the economy as part of the DCEC’s corruption prevention strategy.
Of recent, the DCEC has been in the media for all the wrong reasons following leakage of high profile cases and allegations claiming that the executive management is at war with each other more particularly with some within the agency harbouring ambitions to dethrone Pilane from the Directorship.
Although the infighting was denied by Pilane’s Office, he acknowledged that leakage of information is a problem across Government and stated that it is a pain at the DCEC. He however stated that Staff has been cautioned against leakage of investigation information and that they have roped in the Botswana Police to assist in investigating incidents of leakage. He further stated that they have increased continuous vetting and lifestyle audits for DCEC employees in order to enforce discipline.
Pilane’s term comes to an end in May 2023 after serving the DCEC for a year on acting basis. It will be in the public interest to see who will be given the baton to continue the anti-corruption journey if Pilane’s contract is not renewed. The DCEC has seen arrival and departure of Director Generals having alternated the top seat five times in less than seven years.