Tshekedi only “special minister” with P45 million airplane
Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism who is also younger brother to President Ian Khama, Tshekedi Khama is the only “special minister” whose ministry has a corporate airplane, it has emerged.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has learned that the wildlife ministry procured a King Air 350 Beechcraft airplane using money requested by Tshekedi from parliament through a supplementary budget. Independent investigations have revealed that the 15 meter luxury airplane costs money in the region of $3.6 million. It also comes with specifications quieter interiors, Wi-Fi, Lear jet style beige leather seats, hi-tech avionics among others. Some sister models such as the King Air 350i can carry 15 passengers.
Permanent Secretary in Tshekedi’s ministry, Jimmy Opelo confirmed to the PAC that indeed his ministry acquired the corporate airplane for use in matters of wildlife conservation. He had apparently denied the existence of a corporate airplane recently at PAC. Opelo said that the airplane is largely used to transport his juniors in the ministry to attend to issues of wildlife conservation across the breadth of the country. All these revelations come after the PAC did some investigations to unearth the truth about the ministry’s ownership of a corporate jet.
Opelo had appeared before the PAC two weeks back where he denied the existence of a corporate jet in his ministry. However, this week Opelo stated that the ministry decided to procure the airplane because wildlife conservation in its nature is a nick-of-time affair that often needs technicians from Gaborone to be at the scene in just less than two hours.
“We bought it because of the emergency nature of our work. If an elephant problem is experienced in Kasane you will have to check Air Botswana’s reservations or start a cruiser. With this (airplane) you just get your technicians in and go,”Opelo reasoned. The tourism ministry has historically collaborated with the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Botswana Police Service (BPS). But, this week Opelo said that BDF is not always available to assist and that their aircrafts are at times busy.
The defensive PS shot back. “It doesn’t help. At times they are not available. We are in charge of ensuring wildlife movement and protection of lives of people, so we must do those timely.” Furthermore, he also denied that the aircraft often transports the minister outside of wildlife functions. “It doesn’t transport the minister. I don’t recall any time it transported the minister besides on official ministerial duties,” he then added. “It is for the ministry and not for the minister. It has never happened that he wasn’t in the business of the ministry when he flew in it.”
Committee member and Member of Parliament (MP) for Selibe Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse argued that the aircraft makes Tshekedi “a special minister who has an airplane while other ministries do not have the same”. Opelo’s ministry also did not furnish PAC with fuel costs but only attached Human Resource costs. They however stated that the aircraft has not experienced maintenance costs thus far. It also emerged that the ministry headhunted a foreign pilot for the aircraft who is paid on the E1 scale of director.
Earlier in the proceedings he had denied that the pilot is paid on director scale. Asked why they decided to head-hunt the pilot, Opelo reasoned that they did know him before and that he had been working closely with the ministry. When probed why the pilot is on E1 scale, he responded that it is because he does not only pilot the aircraft but heads the aviation department in the ministry. He also conceded that the airplane was bought under the supplementary budget because they had ruminated over the idea of a ministerial plane for purposes of animal control. He stated they then used supplementary budget because it would have been a missed opportunity.
MPs however observed that the airplane has been mostly used for corporate events including a BOT50 trip to Kasane as well as a ministerial event in Sowa. Opelo stated that the Kasane trip was a day trip for BOT50 airplane rehearsals for the September 30 2016 soiree.
However, Tati east MP Samson Guma Moyo sought to differentiate the ministry from the department of wildlife stating that the airplane must be used only for the department’s operations. Guma also implied that the airplane scandal might come back to haunt Tshekedi, advising Opelo to render counsel to his superior. “The issue is him being a politician, he is a minister! The public will say because he is the president’s younger brother he can do as he pleases. You are the PS. Help him,” Guma warned.
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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.