MP wants commission of inquiry at BCL
The Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse intends to table a motion during the next session of Parliament calling for a commission of inquiry at the BCL mine.
The legislator met with employees of BCL in Selibe Phikwe this week to get their views on the developments at the copper-nickel mine. The employees raised a number of complaints including delayed salaries, unfair dismissals and withdrawal of benefits without proper communication by the mine management.
The employees urged their MP to table the motion to avoid any possible job losses that may arise if the situation is not arrested at the copper-nickel mine.
“I agreed to move a motion on urgency to call for a commission of inquiry into BCL cash flow problems and other incidental problems, those responsible for the mess must be fired. I promised to ask a lot of questions to get to the bottom of the matter,” said Keorapetse when quizzed by this reporter.
Keorapetse also intends to ask if the DCEC has investigated or is investigating corruption at BCL.
While the MP suspects systematic dismissals aimed at reducing the number of employees and lowering the wage bill, BCL has reported cash flow problems recently and this has affected some of its operations. Employees indicated that their salaries are delayed as a result.
BCL employees complained at the meeting that their loans to SACOS, micro lenders, monthly instalments are deducted from salaries but the money does not reach these financial institutions leaving them with arrears and bad debt record.
Keorapetse said some allowances like that which covers electricity have not been paid and those who are accommodated by the mine haven’t been bought electricity since December.
He said employees complain that the Chief Executive officer, Mr Mahupela does not do site visits and does not address them even in the midst of crisis. They in fact say that he has never addressed them and they only see him in the newspapers.
Employees also reported that the smelter is having problems and has had breakdowns since shutdown. They raised concerns that the rate of what they perceive as unfair dismissals has increased probably because the mine wants to reduce the number of workers by all means possible.
“One of our colleagues was dismissed for forgetting his work ID at work and after appeal he has been suspended for three months,” said one employee.
The BCL staff also complained to their MP about casual labourers or short term contracts at BCL. They said they can work for up to three or five years through several six months contracts stints and they wondered why they are not given long term contracts. They indicated that sometimes they get injured and they are ditched, “actually some have died and were not compensated because of the nature of their contracts.”
They also complained about high numbers of foreigners at BCL in some departments, mainly Zimbabweans.
Employees were concerned that the BCL seeks to diversify portfolio without first addressing its core business. They also decried the decline of safety standards at BCL and point to many injuries and deaths and say most people who died lacked experience to work and supervise risky areas and operations.
On a separate matter they want to know what Dr Akolang Tombale is doing about the petition they long handed him and further want an explanation as to why they never got the six percent inflationary salary adjustment.
“I suspect imprudent management of finances and corruption at grand scale at BCL. This imprudent management of money and corruption may be found in BCL outsourcing of services and engagement of consultants and the BCL purported strategy to diversify its portfolio,” said Keorapetse.
He was very critical of Pula Steel which he said it may be a big fraud; “it’s like opening a pork restaurant in Mecca or Moria; how is it going to survive when big steel plants and corporations which produce high quality and quantity of billets have closed shop due to the collapse of steel prices? Who are they going to sell to? It’s a big scam I suspect and probing questions must be asked.”
On workers complaints about dismissals he echoed their sentiments but cautioned them.
“I highly suspect workers are being unfairly dismissed to reduce their numbers. I have met at least two who have been dismissed and have heard of others. I cautioned workers not to play into the hands of employers because labour laws are inadequate in protecting them. In fact they protect employers more than workers. if they strike BCL may dismiss them en masse and say it is an illegal strike. I also told them to tread carefully because they may be fired over small issues and I encouraged them to be punctual and work hard,” Keorapetse further explained.
The Selibe Phikwe West MP said BCL executives and the Board should own up and take responsibility for this mess and rectify it before it is too late.
“We can’t afford job losses because unemployment is very high here in Phikwe,” he contended.
He concluded by saying Government should intervene through a bailout and a good strategy to save BCL and jobs and families that depend on it.
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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.