Gov’t loses 2 million pula to a police fraudster
Botswana Police Service (BPS) Commissioner Makgope and Public Relations officer Assistant Commissioner, Christopher Mbulawa
As the story of corruption unfolds, a police officer has swindled government close to 2 million pula while seconded to the Accountant General department in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The arm and a leg amount in the tune of P1 912 582.62 to be specific, is deemed to be the value of the benefits that were reimbursed by David Loftus William from serious crime related activities “of stealing by a person employed in the public service.”
It is understood that on several occasions between 2000 and 2002, the then police officer had cashed money meant for salaries of government employees and diverted the moneys to his associates, including his wife.
“William transferred the said amount as salary in to different accounts maintained at Standard Charted Mall Branch and Barclays Bank respectively,” a statement from DCEC confirmed.
The corruption busting agency was roped-in to detect the police officer’s alleged misdemeanor and consequently “the accused person was charged with 64 counts of stealing by a person employed in the public service contrary to Section 271 as read with Section 277 of the penal code Cap 08:01 Laws of Botswana.”
The former police officer was arraigned before the Gaborone Principal Magistrate Munashe Ndlovu who ordered him to pay back the defrauded P1 912 582.62 to government coffers.
“The huge money could have gone somewhere. This kind of corruption derails development. The funds could have been used for a good governmental project. This therefore derails the government developmental agenda,” DCEC Public Relations Officer, Nyaladzi Gambule pointed out to Weekend Post while confirming the matter.
The soft-spoken Gambule cited that such issues are worrying, especially when committed by public officers and in particular police officers who are entrusted to safeguard the law itself. “You will assume that someone working in the police service, by the virtue of his/her office will have moral consciousness and observe ethics than an ordinary person.”
According to the DCEC spokesperson, there is a societal expectation regarding how public officers and by extension police officers should behave. “If one police officer can be corrupt it means that there is a probability that many others may be doing the same thing and that hurts government.”
Subsequent to investigations by the corruption busting agency, the verdict implied: “the accused person William between the 20th March 2000 and 22 August 2002 in Gaborone, whilst employed by Botswana Government as a Police Office and seconded at the Accountant General Department in the Ministry of Finance stole the sum of P1 912 582.62 (One Million Nine Hundred and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and Eighty Two Pula Sixty Two Thebe.”
This publication has gathered that the accused has since been suspended has been on bail. It is understood that some of his automobiles such as buses have been confiscated by DCEC pending finalization of the criminal matter which still stands with regard to the case. The accused is facing a civil and criminal suit. The civil suit has been dealt with and he has been ordered by court to pay back the money while the criminal one is pending.
Meanwhile the Botswana Police Service (BPS) Public Relations officer Assistant Commissioner, Christopher Mbulawa was playing his cards close to his chest when asked to confirm if he is aware of such incident. “I will not want to be drawn into discussing it,” he said referring this publication to the DCEC.
However, he said the organization has internal affairs branch which investigates any possible misbehaving by a police officer. “We launched anti-corruption policy and toll free number and this shows we don’t tolerate corruption by our officers.”
The calm and collected spokesperson pointed out to Weekend Post that as a police service, they have demonstrated a policy on zero tolerance to acts of corruption. Mbulawa said “that’s why even at our offices we have posters, monthly magazines to educate staff on corruption.”
According to the Assistant Commissioner, corruption in the police service can damage the image of not only their organization but the nation.
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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.