Matambo chastised for undermining Bargaining Council
Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo this week rubbished the Public Service Bargaining Council for delaying civil servants’ salary increment.
Matambo stated, in a belittling manner, that he would be very happy if there was no Bargaining Council as he believes that negotiating wages through it is a problem. He also qualified the Bargaining Council as a stumbling block to wage increment noting that civil servants would now be readying themselves for wage hikes starting on April 1.
“I am just going to indicate my own view; maybe it will not be popular to some people.” Matambo declared his intentions, before continuing, “I think that this Bargaining Council is a problem; the route of trying to address the wages of our workers through the so-called Bargaining Council, the experience we have up to now leaves me to say, I think it is a problem.”
Matambo also continued to note: “Quite frankly, I would like to tell you, if there was no this Bargaining Council thing, I would be very happy and we would have agreed in cabinet to increase the salaries of civil servants.” When an opposition Member of Parliament interjected in disagreement, Matambo railed on in a fit of passion: “No, that is not the issue but the point is we would have increased by now.
The civil servants would be planning for an increase that will be effective from 1st of April and because of this Bargaining Council thing, I cannot even say it. I am genuine in what I am saying. This is what I would have loved to do, but I know the Bargaining Council is in the law, so we have to abide by the law as we always do this side,” said Matambo. As he had anticipated, his comments were not popular with trade unions.
The president of Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sectors Union (BOFEPPPUSU), Johannes Tshukudu stated that when a government minister talks of Bargaining Council in that manner, “it’s indicative of lack of understanding. It’s a disgrace. But it’s not surprising because he doesn’t have a constituency”.
Tshukudu added that, “Every politician should respect the Bargaining Council. It is not a matter of whether he likes or dislikes the Bargaining Council.” Tshukudu continued to state that in fact, “Matambo should go where he came from…ko re sa go itseng…and that is why nobody listens to him when he speaks. In a serious case where have you seen somebody appointed Specially Elected Member of Parliament every year? ”
BOFEPPPUSU Deputy Secretary General, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, also joined in the fray, stating that Matambo should understand that it is parliament that enacted the Public Service Act which birthed the Bargaining Council. “If he does an about turn, it shows that he is no different from an absent father who has sired kids and varnished. It is because he was not elected and he doesn’t want to be accountable to parliament,” Motshegwa opined.
On the other hand, BOFEPPPUSU Secretary General, Tobokani Rari also stated that Matambo’s comments are typical of governments’ in that it will proliferate institutions and turn around making them difficult to function. “It would make something very difficult to function. Bargaining Council is at a standstill. They left the Bargaining Council so that they legitimise the claim that Bargaining Council is irrelevant. It’s a very careless statement,” Rari said.
Rari further contended that it is disingenuous of government to state that the Bargaining Council does not function while they form part of it. The Bargaining Council was promulgated in 2010 and parties to the council constitute eight government representatives as the employer and eight trade union representatives.
Botswana National Front (BNF) Secretary General, Moeti Mohwasa also in turn rubbished Matambo’s remarks stating that they mirror the attitude of government and the Botswana Democratic Party’s attitude towards workers: “Bargaining Council was established by law, if you undermine it, it shows you are undermining the right of workers. You can’t have workers without Bargaining Council.” Mohwasa added that in fact, it is government that is aiming for the collapse of the talks by causing delays. ”The intention is to weaken the workers confidence on trade unions,” Mohwasa bellowed.
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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.