UDC probes P55million commission in P16 billion BDF deal
The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is hoping to use the Swedish governance system to find its way into exposing government in a controversial P16 billion fighter jets deal which is being stitched on behalf of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Sweden forms part of the Scandinavian and Nordic Countries alongside Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. The five countries are reputed for having one of the best governance systems in the world which guarantees among others; freedom of information, freedom of the press and most importantly, they are popular for their welfare system which has guaranteed quality life for each and every citizen. In Sweden, all public documents are public, unless it is marked “classified”. While in many other countries, including Botswana documents are not accessible, unless they are published by the government itself.
Every Swedish citizen is entitled by the law to have free access to official documents, in order to encourage the free exchange of opinion and the availability of comprehensive information. The process allows individuals to make requests to the government thorough personal visit, Email, letter, phone call and they will get the answer in a few days.It is this principle that the UDC leader, Duma Boko wants to use to achieve his goal following the petition which was sent to the Swedish government a few months ago. Boko told the media this week that UDC engaged Swedish ambassador to South Africa, Cecilia Julin for a briefing on the latest development.
Sweden closed its Botswana embassy in 2008, leaving the South African office to also serve its diplomatic missions in Botswana. The opposition leader said the ambassador has revealed that their petition has reached Prime Minister’s office who is still studying it. Boko earlier this year wrote a petition to the Swedish Government titled Botswana Arms race in the midst of poverty, massive unemployment and social inequality. The petition protested Botswana government’s ongoing and planned military spending.
Boko stated that their plea is representative of Botswana's political parties and civil society and they are hoping that the Swedish Parliament will not approve the sale of these fighter jets to the government of the Republic of Botswana as it is not in the national interest to do so. “Our position is that military spending must be kept to the barest minimum, and Botswana's meagre resources should be used to build better infrastructure, such as water and electricity supply, in order attract foreign investment, reduce poverty, unemployment, social inequality and reword labour productivity, especially in the public sector,” he wrote.
According to Boko, they intend to use the Swedish Information Ombudsman to get to the nitty-gritty of fighter jet deal, to get all information regarding the key players. There are reports that high ranking government officials have benefited handsomely from the dealing, pocketing around P55 million is commission. In the petition, Boko argued that the fighter jets deal was a bad transaction and it deviates greatly from the culture of previous spending in military under the presidency of Dr Festus Mogae and the late Sir Ketumile Quett Masire.
“Botswana’s first three Presidents, Seretse Khama (1955-1980) Quett Masire (1980-1998) and Festus Mogae (1998- 2008) although all determined to safeguard Botswana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, always put diplomacy above military might. President Quett Masire in particular, ruled Botswana when its territorial integrity and national sovereignty were most at risk from minority ruled South Africa, Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe] and South West Africa [now Namibia].”
“The thinking by these Presidents had always been to keep the military expenditure at the barest minimum and to devote as much financial resources as possible to the national development effort. Having given that background, we now turn to the subject of our petition, namely Botswana’s economically disastrous and totally unjustified arms race.” According to Stockholm International Peace Research (SIPRI), Botswana’s military expenditure increased from US$ 292 million in 1998 to US$ 377 million in 2008 to US$ 436 million in 2015 (at constant 2014 prices and exchanges rates).
Military expenditure has risen two folds from under P15 billion during President Festus Mogae governance to P35 billion under Khama’s presidency. Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 11, P14billion will be allocated to military expenditure, compared to P21 billion in the NDP 10. This takes military spending during Khama’s two national development planning period to P35 billion, nearly P15 billion more than Mogae’s two planning periods.
Military expenditure has become a contentious issue during Khama’s presidency, with opposition legislators stating that it is misplaced and unnecessary. When presenting the NDP 11 IN 2016, Minister of Finance, Kenneth Matambo shared that the total amount of money used on Defence and Security together during NDP 9 was P15.56 billion whilst P36.77 billion was used in NDP 10, which translates to 4.32 per cent and 3.78 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) respectively. Out of the total amount, the amount of military expenditure alone during NDP 9 was P9.89 billion or 2.75 per cent of GDP and in NDP 10 the amount was P21.26 billion or 2.18 per cent of GDP.
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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.