BDP MPs save Khama from Parly scrutiny
As the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa jointly celebrate the former 55 years of existence next weekend, opposition tempers are flaring in Parliament as result of the “continued shunning” of Parliament by President Lt Gen Ian Khama.
This week there was an attempt to amend the Standing Orders to compel the President to field questions from the Members of Parliament. But the BDP Members of Parliament jumped in quickly to stop the move amid fears that the opposition was plotting to embarrass and disrespect the President. But for the BDP Members of Parliament it was about saving President Lt Gen Ian Khama when they blocked provisions of Standing Orders which would have compelled him to appear before parliament to field questions whenever the need arises. They are of the view that the opposition is to no good with this proposal.
Sensing the need to protect their leader from the inquisitive Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) bloc, the conservative BDP MPs used their numerical advantage to shoot down the proposed amendments to the Standing Orders. Standing Orders are a set of rules that govern and regulate parliament business. Opposition MPs are concerned that the BDP’s romance with the ANC has led to them adopting a number of the latter’s antics of protecting President Jacob Zuma even where common sense dictates otherwise. Zuma recently survived an eighth motion of no confidence after the ANC MPs voted against “an opposition sponsored agenda to remove Zuma”.
Legislators, mostly in opposition benches and lately the BDP backbencher, Ignatius Moswaane, have for a long time called on the President to attend Parliament and respond to queries from legislators. Opposition legislators are of the view that it is necessary for a sitting president to be compelled by law to appear in parliament to account for his government’s actions. This week session was seen as a perfect platform after Chairperson of Standing Orders committee, Samson Guma summoned MPs for a two-day workshop for the purpose of amending the existing Standing Orders.
Opposition MPs opine that Botswana, like in other democracies such as the Westminster in England, the head of government has to appear before the legislature to account to MPs who are representatives of citizens in various constituencies. In the context of Botswana, the president is not elected directly but enjoys his status by virtue of being a leader of a party that has a majority in parliament. Some MPs pointed out that it is important for the President to appear before Parliament to take questions because ministers tasked with fielding questions are normally accused of inefficiency in their responses or sheer failure and disinterest.
“The Standing Orders effectively say Ministers are not under any pressure to answer questions from us the backbenchers because they can tell half-truths, distort information, refuse to answer, waste time with unnecessary information and even totally refuse to answer questions hence we wanted the real man to talk to our concerns,” a ruling party MP told this publication.
However, the dream to see the first citizen participate regularly in Parliament could not come true following a spirited fight from the ruling party Members of Parliament to defend their leader against the normally agile and resilient opposition legislators.
“There has been a lot of indiscipline within the house mostly from the opposition members, throwing each other with bottles, spitting vulgar language and stubbornness and we unanimously agreed to protect the president from this dishonorable attitude in the house,” said a BDP MP.
BDP Chief Whip Liakat Kablay said, “This was going to taint the image of our country and that of the president out there which we don’t want to see happening hence we voted against this idea.” Instead the BDP nominated Vice President and Leader of the House Mokgweetsi Masisi to field the questions from legislators every Thursday. What legislators unanimously agreed on, according to this publication’s informants was for President to be in the house when various MP’s deliberate on the State of Nation Address (SONA).
“This is so because the President is the one giving the state of the nation address and it is not appropriate for any of the Ministers to try answer or clarify anything on his behalf. We want him in person to clear the air about anything that may arise after SONA,” the source revealed. With the legislators pushing for the availability of Presidency after SONA, a definite decision could not be reached this week but rather it was pushed to the standing orders committee to evaluate the pros and cons. It is expected that it will resurface at the next General Assembly.
“Unlike the 60.4 clause which deals with matters affecting the Chief Whip and the Speaker’s powers whose discussion is slated for November, this one on the President will be addressed next year around July.” By then President Khama would have retired from state house and Vice President Masisi would have taken over as President. A number of clauses in the Standing Orders were amended this week while others were postponed to later this year.
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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.