Another UDC Councillor quits
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Councillor for Boswelatlou ward in Lobatse constituency Kabelo Sebako this week called it quits at the Lobatse Town Council (LTC) chambers, albeit over enigmatic circumstances.
WeekendPost has established that the Councillor has for almost 8 months held two posts simultaneously, including that of Councillor for the LTC. Other than that, Sebako also worked as an accountant in the management of Blue Crystal sugar company, also known as TongaatHullet. Sebako abandoned his councillor post to focus on his job at the sugar packaging company.
The UDC Councillor confirmed to WeekendPost in an interview that: “It is true that I have resigned my position as a Councillor, and it is purely for personal reasons.” He said he chose his job as Accounts Assistant over the Council position because he did not want to make the Council suffer due to his dual responsibilities.
Sebako won the Boswelatlou ward for the UDC – and entire opposition – for first time since the first democratic election 1969. It has been a safe guarded stronghold of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) who lost it with a slim margin in the last election. The UDC Councillor had garnered 278 votes to 276 of Zubeida Raphael of BDP while Botswana Congress Party (BCP) represented by Shimane Thelo came last with 93 votes only.
UDC Spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa told this publication that he was aware of the developments pertaining to Sebako’s resignation. He however downplayed it to say it depended on how one viewed it. “You see I believe it was a good decision because it compromised him to diligently deliver on his Council responsibilities,” he said.
According to Mohwasa, some people enjoy clinging to their political positions even when they are challenged and hailed Sebako as a responsible political leader who, due to other pressures of life and commitments, moved to relinquish his position when he felt he could serve the people in accordance with his will.
“He had two jobs and so he felt continuing with both of them will affect his Council duties and his ability to serve his electorates at his ward,” he pointed out.
When this reporter asked if this development won’t tarnish the image of the party further, Mohwasa stated that although some would say that, he however does not buy into that school of thought, “I don’t think so,” he stressed out.
It is not the first time a UDC Councilor resigned from a Council seat after the 2014 General Elections; recently Bokone North Councillor Titus Kebuileng left the Council for another work commitment believed to be at the University of Botswana. Botswana Congress Party’s Molefhe Mosothwane then went on later to win the bye election.
In addition, not long ago, the main opposition party received a shocker when Member of Parliament for Goodhope/Mabule James Mathokgwane also dumped parliament for a lucrative job at Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU). The bye election for the constituency will take place on 15 August.
There has been strong speculations doing the rounds that link opposition party members and activists en-mass resignations to strategical prudence by the ruling party fat cats to lure unsuspecting opposition members into their fold. The party has however continued to refute such insinuations as baseless and unfounded.
The suggestions were also entertained by Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) which is a member of UDC, Lobatse branch Chairman Temba Stimela. According to Stimela, Sebako had pressure from BDP leadership in Lobatse especially by Town Mayor Malebogo Kruger. However efforts to reach Kruger on the matter proved futile at the time of going to print.
It is understood that Kruger has been frequently visiting Sebako’s employers on suspicious mandate to recruit him. Sebako, who was only a member of the Finance Committee at the Council was said to be not performing satisfactorily by the Council management.
There were also assumptions that Sebako had been invited to the State house, assertions he laughed off and brushed aside, labelling them as untrue and unfortunate. According to him, he remains a loyal of the UDC, he rubbished the claims that he may have been bought by the BDP top politburo.
Meanwhile, it has also become apparent that when the incumbent Councillors and MP’s resign from Council chambers or National Assembly, or more still from their current parties to others, rarely bid constituents and electorates farewell. The constituents often complain of such developments.Sebako indicated in the interview that he has “not consulted the constituents to the optimum level.”
In the meantime, President Ian Khama is expected to issue a writ of elections to announce the date of the bye election.
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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.