Masisi shuts Khama out
President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi has warned some of the party members against their casual relationships with his adversaries former President Lt Gen Ian Khama and former Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) chief Colonel Isaac Kgosi.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]During the party’s Central Committee held last Saturday, Masisi expressed his worry about some of the senior members in the party who continue to peddle casual relationships with his rivals. He further noted that, with such relations it poses a great threat as most confidential information has been revealed to them.
Furthermore, the President also highlighted that if there are any members who intend to lobby Khama into returning back to the party, they should forget about it as he has no intentions of accepting him back into the party. Sources say that even though Masisi generalised his grievances, all the queries were directed to the party Secretary General (SG) Mpho Balopi.
“Balopi has been accused of a lot of things of late. We have also heard about his continued relationship with Khama and Kgosi. You might fight that some of the party’s confidential discussion are revealed by him to them,” a source said. Of late, Balopi has been alleged to be at the forefront of the party’s troubled paradise.
On January 20 this year, this publication reported that there were allegations that Masisi and Balopi have fell out. It was further alleged that the fallout was caused by the continued working relationship between Khama and Balopi. However, it is said that Balopi justifies his relationship with Khama by saying that he and Khama have known each other from the time immemorial and he is what he is because of Khama.
Balopi first became the party SG at the time when Khama was leading the party. As it is, Balopi is the third most senior member of the party, after Masisi and Tsogwane. Some members of the Central Committee are also alleged to be petitioning for the replacement of Balopi as party secretary general.
Further articulations by sources to this publication further indicated that Balopi’s relationship with his President might be heading for the worst, as Balopi eyes chairmanship of the party. Even though details on chairmanship aspiration have not been revealed yet, sources have revealed that Balopi has a guarded plan on how he will attain the seat.
The battle came to the fore after it became apparent that the party Secretary General has lost the support of Masisi, therefore falling down the pecking order in the latter’s succession plans.
According to party insiders, at least five individuals are considered frontrunners ahead of Balopi in the succession plan. The incumbent, Tsogwane is expected to retire from politics at the end of his current term, creating an opportunity for Masisi if he wins second term to choose his successor.
This publication reported last month of an alleged meeting initiated by Balopi at Manong Game Reserve along Lobatse. It is alleged that the agenda of the meeting was to establish ways to abet Sadique Kebonang to reclaim his seat as Member of Parliament (MP) for Lobatse constituency in the next elections.
WeekendPost is privy to names of BDP activist who attended the meeting, including two Central Committee members. Reliable sources have disclosed to this publication the secretive meeting shocked the party Chairman, Tsogwane who later reported the incident to Masisi.
“This did not sit well with the President, in fact he feels Balopi is trying by all means to provoke him. Balopi has said on numerous occasions that he made Masisi what he is today, something that does not sit well with the President, “said the source.
WeekendPost is reliably informed that prior to the Manong meeting, Masisi deployed robust investigations on the meeting in order to get to the bottom of it. However, Balopi had denied ever initiating nor attending such a meeting.
Masisi is reportedly drawing up his own succession plan on who could be his substantive assistant and ultimately President in 2028, and the name of Gabane-Mmankgodi MP Mmusi is leading the pack. Mmusi is the son to former Vice President, Peter Mmusi and he is said to be in the President’s good books.
In fact, it is said, Masisi and Mmusi have always been buddies, something which the parliamentary hopeful vehemently denies. “He is my boss not my friend,” Mmusi stressed in an interview with this publication in the past. Impeccable sources have informed this publication that recently, Balopi met with the former intelligence chief, Kgosi.
In their meeting it is alleged that Balopi had gone to see Kgosi peevish about his President. It is in the alleged conversation that Balopi disclosed to Kgosi that his relationship with Masisi has fallen off the wagon.
It is alleged that Balopi accused Masisi of being a dictator, indicating that the staggering relationship between the two has gotten out of hand that it has become very hard for both of them to have a smooth professional relationship.[/ihc-hide-content]
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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.