Wilderness withdraws interest in Air Botswana
News
Wilderness Safaris has withdrawn its Expression of Interest on Air Botswana. This follows Government decision to invite interested companies to bid to operate the faltering Airline. Wilderness decision comes on the wake of a barrage of criticism on government as Batswana question the alleged sale of public enterprises.
“In the announcement of the results of the Company for the year ended 28 February 2017, issued on 31 May 2017, it was confirmed that the Company had in February 2017 submitted an Expression of Interest in the privatisation of Air Botswana but that there had been no further progress in the matter,” reads a statement from Wilderness Safaris.
The statement further indicates that the Company was informed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications that the Government of Botswana wishes to enter into discussions with the Company regarding privatization of Air Botswana. However, after careful deliberation, the Company has decided to not pursue the matter any further. Accordingly, the Company has withdrawn its Expression of Interest and has advised the Government of its decision,” the statement reads.
PAC HAD WARNED PS
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week piled more pressure on Kitso Mokaila’s Ministry of Transport and Communications demanding answers on the reported Air Botswana privatization. They had asked the number of companies that had expressed interest, they were told it is only two – Wilderness Safaris and a South African company.
The PAC members wanted to understand how the bidding process was conducted and they could not get convincing answers as the accounting officer was new to the position. The understanding is that some of the piercing questions at PAC put pressure on Wilderness and Cabinet to withdraw the interest. PAC members have made it clear to a number of accounting officers that some of their requests will not pass in Parliament regardless of their convenient relations with Cabinet.
CABINET SIDELINED BOARD
Wilderness, a Company whose primary listing is on the Botswana Stock Exchange and its secondary listing is on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, had been linked to the takeover of Air Botswana for a while. The decision by Wilderness Safaris means that government will have to consider other bidders.
Some companies that had shown interest in buying Air Botswana when the deal was still being handled by the Board of Air Botswana pulled out after discovering that they will be compelled to retain the name of the Airline, the colours, and to a larger extent the staff that currently operates Air Botswana. Indications are that some companies were interested as long as they do as they please to make the Airline look attractive and become economically viable. Air Botswana is currently making huge losses and has an aging fleet.
At the time of considering Wilderness, Cabinet had taken over the process of privatizing Air Botswana and was running the risk of being accused of sidelining the Board. The Air Botswana Board had at some stage been informed that there was a likelihood of Air Botswana being moved to the Ministry of Tourism because 70 percent of the customers who use Air Botswana are tourists. It is not clear as to what will happen next at Air Botswana following the withdrawal of Wilderness Safaris.
News
BCP, AP stalemate in 7 constituencies
When the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Alliance for Progressives, Botswana Labour Party (BLP), and conveners reconvene next week, the controversial issue of allocation of the seven constituencies will be the main topic of discussion, WeekendPost can reveal.
Not only that, but the additional four constituencies will also dominate the talks. The idea is to finally close the “constituency allocation phase,” which has proven to be the most difficult part of the ongoing negotiations.
Earlier this year, the two parties announced that the marathon talks would be concluded by February. Even at a media briefing last month, BCP Secretary General Goretetse Kekgonegile and Publicity Secretary Dr. Mpho Pheko were optimistic that the negotiations would be concluded before the end of February.
However, it is now mid-March and the talks have yet to be concluded. What could be the reasons for the delay? This is a question that both Kekgonegile and Pheko have not responded to, as they have ignored the reporters’ inquiries. However, a senior figure within the party has confided to this publication as to what is delaying the highly anticipated negotiations.
“We are reconvening next week to finalize constituency allocations, taking into account the additional four new ones plus the outstanding seven,” he explained. It later surfaced that Gaborone Central, Gaborone North, Mogoditshane, Tswapong North, Francistown West, Tati West, and Nata Gweta are all contested by both BCP and AP. This is because the other 50 constituencies were allocated by December of last year.
The three parties have failed to find common ground for the Bosele Ward by-elections. Are these constituencies not a deal breaker for the talks? “None of the constituencies is a deal breaker,” responded a very calm BCP official.
In Bosele Ward, AP has yielded to BCP, despite most of its members disapproving the decision. On the other hand, BLP has refused, and it will face off with BCP together with Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
The decision by BLP to face off with BCP has been labelled as a false start for the talks by political observers.
News
Botswana approves extradition of British fugitive
Raiz Ahmed Tayub, a British fugitive sought by Interpol for his involvement in human trafficking and slave trade crimes, was captured by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) earlier this year.
Merapelo Mokgosi, the Assistant Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), confirmed that he will be extradited to France, where he is wanted for his crimes.
“It is true that Tayub will be extradited to France, where he has been wanted for some time,” says Mokgosi.
She explained that the fugitive was arrested by the Botswana Police in early January while attempting to enter Botswana through the Pioneer border gate. Since his arrest, he has been appearing before the Lobatse Magistrate Court to fight his release from custody and to object to his extradition to France. During his court appearance, Tayub opted for voluntary extradition.
“He opted for voluntary extradition, which the extradition Act allows,” said Mokgosi. She added that the suspect was not under duress when he chose voluntary extradition. Soon after he made this choice, the Ministry of Justice was notified, and the minister approved his extradition. Preparations are still underway to fly the wanted man to France, and once the necessary paperwork is completed between the two nations, the suspect will be extradited.
Mokgosi indicated that plans were still being made to complete the suspect’s extradition to France, and the Botswana government would pay for his flight along with his escort.
Meanwhile, the court has ordered the Botswana Prison Services (BPS) to provide the Islamic British fugitive with “halal food” while he is in custody.
In an earlier court application, Tayub had asked to be detained at a five-star hotel, as he could pay for it until the completion of his case. He also argued that he should not have to wear a prison uniform due to the Covid-19 outbreak. He was thought to have been traveling to Malawi at the time of his capture.
When delivering the order, the principal magistrate, Gofaone Morwang, said the detainee should be provided with halal daily rations with immediate effect while he is in custody. The magistrate dismissed TAYUB’s application for hotel detention and exemption from wearing a prison uniform.
News
Botswana approves extradition of British fugitive
Raiz Ahmed Tayub, a British fugitive sought by Interpol for his involvement in human trafficking and slave trade crimes, was captured by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) earlier this year.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!