Classified Pemandu report exposes Botswana Public Service
A confidential report by a Malaysian private consultancy firm, Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) Associates, that was engaged by Botswana government through the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) has revealed a damning state of affairs in the country’s Civil Service.
Curiously, the report has been ready for long but kept in the shelves by the Botswana government, making it out of reach and touch for the critical stakeholders including the trade unions and the public. The report essentially provides the progress and status update on Pemandu Associate’s activity in Botswana from December 2017 up to September 2018 in which their main aim, which they executed, was to conduct preliminary assessments on the areas of remuneration management system.
In the classified report they unearthed that generally the Botswana Public service performance management is not functioning efficiently as it was supposed to be. According to the report, titled, “remuneration system project report for grades A to D,” there are issues on the complexity of performance appraisal form and biased session between employee and employer. It further reveals that “the Botswana Public Service today does not have a comprehensive remuneration structure and does not follow best practices.”
Some of the flaws in the system, it posits, is that the current Botswana public service remuneration follows a traditional model made up of grades and notches or steps within grades; and a new employee will start at the bottom notch of the grade as there is no flexibility to take into account special skills and experience. It states that the employee will move up from one notch to another based on promotion and that the notches remain steep, meaning an employee will reach the ceiling of the particular grade quickly.
“The salary for one grade does not overlap with another. This means that on reaching the ceiling (the top most notch of the salary grade), the employee must be promoted to another grade in order to advance in salary. In addition the current design does not have a fixed salary range – it is merely a series of notches within a particular grade and no fixed ceiling and floor levels. This has serious implications in terms of the salary structure in equilibrium.”
To illustrate this, the report gives an example of an employee (A) who may start at the lowest notch of a grade at P20 000 and another employee (B) at the highest notch earns P100 000 adding that the range between the lowest and the highest salary point is then therefore P80000. “Assuming there is a salary increment of 5 percent. Employee at the bottom will now earn P21000 whilst employee B will earn P105000. The gap between the two salary points increases from P80000 to P84000. With another 5 percent adjustment, the gap widens to P88200,” it highlights.
According to the top secret report, this means the structure will slide with each salary adjustment and the gap will grow exponentially as well. It points out that this design is not sustainable in terms of managing the salary bill, keeping equity and maintaining employee morale as the salary pyramid grows steeper with each salary adjustment. It further revealed that the existing salary structure does not follow the norm in terms of range and notches; it’s complex and difficult to manage.
“The salary rates are below market rates and is thus not competitive in terms of attracting and retaining talent and the required professional skills for the country to become a high performing public service sector,” the report compiled by the engaged Malaysians highlights. The Pemandu Associates report also discloses that the structure contains many legacy issues which arose as a means of circumventing the current shortfalls in the system and that there is no review process to sustain a motivated workforce and productivity.
The current salary is a sliding structure, reports states adding that the minimum and maximum salaries (ranges) are not locked and will change according to any inflationary adjustments declared by the leadership. The range (maximum and minimum) within each grade from grade C to grade E is narrow. Hence over time, this would create a bulge of employees who are stagnated at the top of the scale. This was observed particularly for grade E1 where 63 percent of the employees are stagnated at ceiling.
Many of those who have reached the salary ceiling would remain there for a long time as the number of positions at the next level is usually less and consequently, the number of vacancies is much lesser. In the case of grade E1, report states that 36 percent of the employees at the ceiling have remained status quo for more than 5 years – in fact, all 63 percent of them at the ceiling of grade E1 will not be promoted to grade F1 as there are no vacancies in grade F1. “This is demotivating for current employees and a deterrent for the recruitment of much needed talent for the public service.”
In some Ministries, it states the percentage of employees who are stagnated at the top of their scale has reached a dire situation and that the ministry of Basic Education has 82.7 percent of their employees stuck at the ceiling in grade C1 and 42.8percent at grade D1 while stressing “this has an adverse on productivity.” Considering cadres such as doctors and teachers, the government report posits that the remuneration system is not flexible enough to recognise skills.
As an illustration, it explains that a doctor who joins the public service has a starting basic salary of P187 716 and a scarcity allowance of 40percent of the basic salary to supplement the shortfall in attracting the profession to the public service. It recommends that if the remuneration system is sufficiently robust and flexible, the doctor should be offered a starting salary of P262802 without the need to act as a ‘bandage.’
The same is true for teachers, the shelved report asserts adding that Science and Mathematics teachers join the public service at grade C4 with a starting salary of P73416, supplemented by a 40percent scarcity allowance that makes the total remuneration P102782. “The scarcity allowance albeit a necessity distorts the remuneration structure and makes it difficult to manage the total remuneration.” This comes in light of remuneration system issues which were raised including concern of among others, scarce allowances issues being distributed “unequally” in Botswana.
The current salary plus allowance lags behind the private sector and that it is not competitive and is a concern especially at the leadership level, it stresses. Moreover, the report acknowledges that the government of Botswana has laid out a bold and compelling vision of what the future of the country would look like in Vision 2036, which is, transforming from an upper middle-income nation to a high-income nation.
It adds that “the critical successes factor in arriving at a high-income nation status will be a high performing public service sector that will move the many levers for socio and economic development.” Creating and sustaining a high performing public service sector, it emphasises that will depend to a larger part on having a remuneration framework that will enable the government to attract, retain, and motivate public service employees.
The report further cites a study by the University of Warwick, United Kingdom which showed that productivity increased between 12percent and 20percent if an employee was happy and that in another article, it was noted while money is not the only motivator and it is not the primary motivator for everyone, it is an important motivator for most people in the workplace including the public servants in Botswana.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.