DIS footprints in P54 million project raise eye brows
The involvement of the Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS) in the construction of the Mahalapye Prison fence has raised eyes bows after the tender was awarded to the company which has been perennially benefiting from the intelligence tenders.
Although the project fell under the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, this week Weekend Post was informed by the ministry officials that the project was coordinated by the DIS as well as the Botswana Prison Service with the support of Department of Building and Engineering Services. DIS is under a different ministry, at Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration.
The project, according to the ministry of defence’s procurement plan submitted to Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Board (PPADB), was estimated to cost P8 million but it was eventually built at the cost of P54.3 million. The project was awarded to Rosita Enterprises (Pty) Ltd trading as Defence Concepts Botswana through the selective tendering process. According to Ikwatlhaeng Bagopi, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, the procurement method was through expression of interest by potential bidders, with only two companies, the other being Mapande Investment showing capability, resulting in their invitation to tender.
The company which won the tender, Defence Concepts had long documented close relations with DIS as their preferred supplier, winning multimillion tenders during the reign of Colonel Isaac Kgosi as Director General of the spy organisation.
Kgosi’s association with the company has been called into question on numerous occasions, with some alleging that the company was unfairly benefiting from government tenders under the disguise of direct appointment or selective tendering, which closed out other competitors.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Mahalapye Prison Fencing project entails; demolition/ dismantling of existing razor mesh fence backfill and cart away rubble from site; supply, delivery and erection of 600mm high outer perimeter fence; supply delivery and erection of 3000mm high inner perimeter fence; supply, delivery and erection of 3000mm high partitioning perimeter fence; supply, delivery and installation of security gate; as well as supply and pour concrete to foundations.
PROJECT DELAYS AND INCCURRED EXPENSES
Despite conflicting information regarding the status of the project, Bagopi insists that the project is 100 percent complete pending cleaning of the site. The project commenced on the 24 of February 2017, with an anticipated completion date being 25 September 2017. However, the project could not be completed within the initial agreed date, leading to an extension to the 25 February 2018. Government has so far paid the contractor P48. 5 million, with the final amount expected to be P54.3 million.
The P54.3 million that government will eventual pay to the contractor is P46 million more than what the Ministry of Defence had initially estimated in their procurement plan submitted to the PPADB. The primary mandate of PPADB is to adjudicate and award tenders for Central Government and any other institutions specified under the Act for the delivery of works, services and supplies. However, tenders under P300 million in values are delegated to Ministerial Tender Committees (MTCs).
Explaining the occurrences which led to delay and government incurring the cost, Bagopi said: “The project was delayed due to additional time to cover those works and late delivery of material from external suppliers.” Bagopi indicated that government incurred additional cost because of increase in quantities of material, which in turn affected the programme.
“At present, there is no extension of time with cost, if any they will be discussed during the final payment. Project is now due for final measurement in which we will consider liabilities for late delivery of the project to either party,” he said. “Initially when the project scope was developed, the new fence was planned in such a way that it was going to be built over the footprint of the old fence.” Bagopi argued that this would have required that the old fence be removed first before constructing the new fence.
“This would have compromised the security of the prison facility,” he said. “The other issue was existence of under-ground services that also contributed to moving the fence outward by 7 metres. This created an increase in the length of the fence.”
PROJECT: FENCING FOR PRISON FACILITIES-MAHALAPYE PRISON
ESTIMATED COST: P8,000,000
CONTRACT SUM: P49,670,953
VARIATION AMOUNT: P4,644,393
REVISED CONTRACT SUM: P54,315,347
News
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.”
News
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.
News
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.