BDP MPs give Masisi ultimatum on salary report
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Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Members of Parliament have come out of the woods to demand that party president, Mokgweetsi Masisi brief the general assembly about the recommendations of the commission mandated to review salaries of senior government officials and politicians.
The commission is said to have completed the report and handed it to Masisi by the fall of the year (December) in 2018. President was expected to peruse the document early this year and to brief parliament immediately. However, running out of patience, BDP MPs faced Masisi this week and demanded to be updated on the details of the report and want it adopted before 1st April 2019.
Sources have informed WeekendPost that the party MPs wanted to know the contents of the report and threatened not to approve the national budget, which is currently being debated before parliament, should they not get their way. Masisi has reportedly acknowledged receipt of the report and informed MPs that he has assigned Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Nonofo Molefhi to brief MPs at the general assembly. “He just told us about the report, that it has been received and it is still being reviewed before it is submitted to cabinet and then parliament,” Kanye South legislator Abraham Kesupile said.
Masisi has assured ruling party legislators that the commission’s report will be brought to parliament for adoption. This has since calmed MPs who initially read malice on the delay to be given update despite the beginning of new government year in April. MPs feared that Masisi will sit on the report for a very long time with taking action, as he has done with the hunting ban report, which was long handed but only made public this week, sourced said.
Legislators want to be given the report so that the study it in preparation for its adoption in parliament or rejection if its contents are not favourable to their demands. The legislators are said to have made their case clear at a general assembly before the commission last year during briefing. “I cannot say a definite figure because as MPs we have never reached a consensus on the matter but we want something meaningful. If we can have a 20 percent increment and hopefully 30 percent constituency allowance depending on the vastness of the area it will be reasonable,” said one MP who attended the meeting last year.
This, according to those privy to the developments was agreed by majority of legislators across the political divide. The legislators further argued that they should be entitled to a driver and a vehicle just like ministers so their job could be easier. “We have travelled around the world and mingled with some peers just across the border from SADC parliamentary forum and we are getting peanuts as pay. So apart from the salary, there are other factors that the commission should bear in mind.
We should have a driver and a car which takes an MP to his constituency as and when one needs to,” added another MP. Masisi was expected to meet with the commission early this year to deliberate on the matter. The recommendations presented by the commission show that Masisi should focus on the two groups who have already raised their concerns, disclose sources. “Nothing much on the other cadres; the focus is on MPs, Dikgosi, cabinet and judges. It is varying as per their needs,” a source said.
MASISI TO FACE DIKGOSI DEMANDS
Dikgosi have a consensus on the betterment of conditions of their services including the privilege of being chauffeured in BMW 7 series. Already they have drafted a five-year strategy which indicates among others that they need security equivalent to those given to judges as they do the same toil of solving disputes. Private and personal secretaries must also be availed to the leaders to do their job diligently. Dikgosi argue that they should be given diplomatic passports, this the commission has noted.
“If you can avail to athletes and MPs why don’t you give Dikgosi the same,” Kgosi Maruje Masunga said when commenting on the Dikgosi condition of service. The commission was headed by Justice Monametsi Gaongalelwe. Other members include Thebe Mogami, Ntshabele Manamela, Oduetse Motshidisi, Motlhagodi Molomo, Tsetsele Fantan and Alpheus Matlhaku.
The president also appointed three Secretaries to the Commission; Tebogo Tomango, Lesedi Gaolaolwe, as well as Olesitse Masimega, who will be the Head of the Secretaries to the Commission. The commission took an oath of allegiance in October, administered by the President.
The Commission was mandated to inquire into salaries, Conditions of Service and Other Entitlement of the President, Vice President, the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Speaker, Assistant Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Members of Parliament, the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Justices of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, Chairman of Ntlo-ya-Dikgosi, Members of Ntlo-ya-Dikgosi, Chairpersons of District Councils, Mayors, their Deputies, Chairpersons of Sub-Councils and their Deputies and Councilors.
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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.