Moruakgomo retained as BALA president
He triumphed over nominated Cllr Peloetletse
Mpho Moruakgomo has been retained as the president of Botswana Association of Local Authority (BALA). Moruakgomo emerged victorious this week after outclassing outspoken Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s nominated councilor for Gaborone City Council (GCC), Macdonald Peloetletse. Moruakgomo garnered 70 votes against Peloetletse’s paltry 12 votes.
The vote means Moruakgomo is retained as president of the umbrella body of local authorities in the country for the next two years. Sylviah Muzilla also triumphed as a vice president for the organisation after hammering Caroline Lesang and Alec Seametso who each got 14 votes; Motlhophi Leo came fourth with 12 votes.
The new Project Officer is James Kgalajwe who got 51 votes against Nthobatsang’s 27. After attracting 38 votes, Peter Williams also lost to Leonard Mojuta who got 41 votes. The additional members are Phenyo Segokgo and Ido Lesope. Other positions included Welfare officer which was won by Botho Ntirang after he garnered 57 votes to Foster Seretse’s 23 votes.
Geoffrey Sibisibi got away with the Finance Committee chair with 65 votes against 13 votes for Mohammed Sobhan while Jordan Makhura was voted by 54 delegates to Ezekiel Kajou’s 23 for the regions. The opposition put forward three names for contestation and won two.
Meanwhile the decision by the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Party (UDC) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) councilors not to field a candidate is said to have favoured the Moruakgomo camp.
It is understood that due to their inferior numbers in the Local Authorities around the country, the opposition collective did not fancy its chances of taking the reins of leadership at BALA. In most cases, politicians vote along party lines. Some say opposition didn’t contest for top positions as nobody was available from their parties – or atleast not ready to do so. However, it is not clear if they took a resolution as opposition to vote for a preferred candidate over the other. What is crystal clear though is that they have voted – and that is to say they have voted for Mpho Moruakgomo as a preferred BDP candidate in the just ended BALA elections.
Speaking to this publication after the elections, opposition Councillors spokesperson at the event, Stephen Makhura said they had no official position as opposition councilors with regard to who to rally behind between Moruakgomo and Peloetletse. As such, it is believed that Council Secretaries (16) also played a vital role in the outcome. But Makhura confirmed that they all cast their vote in accordance with their individual conscience.
WeekendPost has however established that although they were divided, Moruakgomo had enormous support from the opposition bench. Peloetletse was dismissed as a new comer who doesn’t know anything with regard to running of Councils – this publication gathered.
Makhura defended the opposition’s no-show for the presidency and voted for the BDP’s Moruakgomo saying it was not the first time a party supported the other for BALA leadership. “BALA is not formed under BDP but it’s for all Councils in the country regardless of party affiliations, he clarified.
“Besides the late Botswana National Front (BNF) stalwart Paul Rantao, who was the mayor of Gaborone then, was at one point president of BALA, somewhere between 1989 and 1994, before going to parliament – and he was elected to the position by the ruling BDP. BALA was never formed for BDP or opposition but for all the parties,” he said.
It has also come to this publication’s attention that some BDP followers are also calling for non politicisation of BALA and want to avoid by all costs turning the organization into pro-BDP organ. They say it should be a representation of all people despite party affiliations. According to Makhura, opposition did not necessarily make an outstanding impact but added that, “only lobby influenced the outcome of the election and not a party bloc supporting one candidate over the other.”
Only delegates were allowed from the Councils to cast their votes. Basically, on average it was 5 delegates per Council. From Gaborone City Council (GCC) was a delegation of 5 Councillors casting their votes in which only 2 were opposition and 3 BDP, while Central District Council (CDC) there were 7 in which 2 were opposition and 5 BDP, Kgatleng District Council (KDC) 6 delegates 5 from opposition and 1 BDP (Moruakgomo himself). Chobe District Council (CDC) had 3 BDP delegates while opposition had 1. Many of the Council delegates were made up of more BDP Councillors than opposition.
Besides the UDC Councillor Makhura also stated that the opposition needs to further understand the organization before they contest for the presidency of the latter. He said they only fielded other positions like that for regions and one of the three special nominated members in the just ended elections.
BALA was formed to promote unity, cohesion, solidarity and cooperation among Local Authorities across the length and breadth of the country. Currently, there are 16 Councils – including ten District Councils, three Town Councils and one Town Authority. In the build up to the formation of BALA, it was found that there is need for information and exchange of experiences among councilors and as such an organisation that was later to be named BALA came to being.
News
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.”
News
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.
News
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.