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DCEC disowns Investigator in P100 Billion scandal

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has this week disowned their key investigator, Jako Hubona in the P100 billion scandal that has seen some individuals hauled before the courts for alleged embezzlement and financial terrorism. The State argues that the money was siphoned from Bank of Botswana coffers.

The million dollar case has implicated big shots being former President Dr Ian Khama, ex-Director General of the Intelligence organ, Colonel Isaac Kgosi, Bridget Motsepe-Radebe, the South African business tycoon who is the sister to South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and First Lady of South Africa Tshepo Motsepe (Ramaphosa). Additionally, it includes an ex-DIS agent Welheminah Maswabi code name Butterfly, who has already been charged.

[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]In the matter, Hubona is a key, central and lead investigator handling the controversial case representing the corruption busting agency, DCEC. Just recently President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in August, removed Hubonas former boss, Brigadier Joseph Mathambo as the head of the DCEC where he was seconded and sent back to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) barracks.

Following the ejection of Mathambo, the newly appointed boss Tymon Katlholo distanced his organisation from their own key detective in the web of the contentious case. Katlholo was appearing before the Governance and Oversight committee of parliament this week.

Instead Katlholo referred to the whole matter as still an allegation that was not verified/substantiated and therefore premature to have arrived at the Courts of the law.
Let me confirm to this Honourable house that I have an allegation which I received on 10 September 2019, but let me also confirm that to this day, I am yet to find evidence that will talk to that allegation, the DCEC Chief told the Governance and Oversight committee of parliament.

When WeekendPost approached Katlholo after the Governance and Oversight Committee session to sought further clarity on the matter he implied little prospects on the controversial case.

I said we have an allegation which needs to be verified, but now the case has already taken off. Can you move to the next stage before verification? No. So which means they skipped one crucial stage, the DCEC boss pointed out to this publication.

The experienced DCEC Director General who was in 1994 the founding Chief of the organ, continued: we have an allegation, yes the allegation is there. But we are yet to find the evidence. From where we are standing it remains just an allegation. We have an allegation, we received it, like any other allegation. And this can go either way.

He had earlier stressed to the parliament committee that what I am saying is that I dont have bank records; I dont have financial records to substantiate this allegation while emphasising that from where he is standing, he is curious that the matter has gone further to the courts without that crucial substantial evidence.

The two time DCEC Director General further added to the parliament committee that he was however tight-lipped: I am taking cognizance of the fact that the matter is still before the courts and to a certain extend sub judice.

Although he was cagey to go into further details citing we cant go into details he however hinted to this publication later that we know whats going to happen but we cant say it.

Meanwhile the Bank of Botswana through its Governor Moses Pelaelo has also distanced himself from the P100 billion loot while briefing Members of Parliament a while ago insisting on tight controls that cannot see such an amount go up in smoke and untraced.

His contention, apart from having tight financial controls, is that the central bank never had such amount sitting or idling in their accounts and that the funds are almost half of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which makes the whole matter a fiction and largely impossible.

While on the matter but on a separate time, the BoB Governor has also confirmed this week to the Governance and Oversight Committee of parliament that his position then has not changed since.

Whatever I have said with regard to any other matter in terms of accountability of the central bank, outstanding reconciliations and all of those, I have made them in public. I dont think there is any further thing that I can say about that matter, he stressed.

BoB sentiments on the case, brought into sharp contrast the credibility of the DCEC in particular investigating officer, Hubona. Hubona has confirmed in an affidavit before court that Khama and Kgosi, while President and DIS head honcho instructed the BoB to open three bank accounts which were conduit to loot tax payers money in the region of P100 billion.

Khamas lawyers, Ramalepa Attorneys however refuted this claim while further questioning Hubonas credibility as they believe Hubona has a habit of fabricating evidence to suit his own narrative.

It is understood that the lawyers gave as an example a Gaborone Regional Magistrate judgement in a certain criminal case that was delivered on October 11, 2019 which found that Hubona had fabricated evidence by adding extrinsic content to a witnesss sworn statement.

This is notwithstanding that, despite DCEC detective officer Hubonas sworn affidavit, the South African banks being Nedbank and Absa has publicly poured cold water into the whole matter by denying the Botswana government allegations through Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that ex DIS agent Maswabi owns dubious accounts in their banks.

This publication also recently reported that the Office of the President has allegedly thwarted efforts by the DPP to withdraw the controversial case. Highly placed sources have informed this publication then that the DPP and the DCEC were failing to reach a common ground on how to handle the matter. It was alleged that, the DCEC investigating team has proposed then that the matter be struck of the court roll pending further investigations.[/ihc-hide-content]

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BOMU, DBS roadshow partners in crime

18th March 2024

The Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) roadshow has found and trusted the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) as a companion it could trust in empowering and facilitating the creative sector, in particular, performing artists and musicians.

BOMU exits to ensure that musicians in Botswana are supported by all platforms and services that are aligned to what they do, which at most times is the production of music.

In 2023, the Union put together grand music awards prized at a whooping P3 million. Indeed, the man working behind the awards, Seabelo Modibe of Total Music Group understood the assignment. For the very first time, BOMU awards left an impressive mark, leaving people murmuring.

With that said and done, BOMU became a very important stakeholder in the on-going DBS roadshow. The relationship started in 2022 when the project was initiated. In this massive project, BOMU plays a role of mobilizing and registering new artists.

In the previous years, the Union has been clouded by dispute and back-and-forth. It was accused of being bungling, purposeless and served no interests of its members (artists). Following the effective execution of the eleventh music awards, artists progressively joined BOMU and the DBS roadshow added cherry on top.

Some of the artists who made it to the Top 30 of the DBS roadshows much-admired the platform, saying it played a major part in changing their lives. Some of them started getting booked, changed their mindsets and consider music as a business entity.

These are some of the few nuggets of wisdom they raked from the man behind the roadshow, Thato Sikwane. He is known as DJ Fresh in the music sector and his company, Big Dawg Productions is the brainchild behind the DBS roadshow.

Matter of fact, DJ Fresh and Modibe worked on this concept together with an aim of unearthing new talent in as much as music is concerned. In order to achieve this goal, the duo had to engage BOMU to allow for the artists to have a body that governs them.

When speaking in an interview with WeekendLife, BOMU Secretary General Rasina Rasina said the roadshow is actually a blessing in disguise, as it was initially considered a tall show.

“This is a much-needed platform for a sector that has been deteriorating over the years. We believe it is here to resurrect the music industry. The DBS roadshow cultivate talent from scratch and nurtures it. This will help us as a Union to have a solid foundation and as BOMU, as we are highly appreciative.”

Rasina said BOMU is very much aware of Season One challenges, adding that they too experienced them. “As BOMU, we therefore appreciate that it was the beginning. Naturally, beginnings have challenges but we are optimistic that everything will be in order as together as a team, we can work to solve all pressing matters that delay the progress of artists in Botswana.”

Successful artists during the DBS roadshow will reap from what they sow. BOMU has been allocated a budget to help artists access the roadshow. Rasina has however refused to divulge the total amount but specified that they ensure artist participation and mobilization, as well as feeding.

“We have learnt from past challenges. We do not pay artists but we assist them with transportation funds to mobilize them to attend the roadshow and showcase. What we offer them is not payment. We ensure their participation, transport mobilization and feeding. They compete, showcase and get the platform they need. We partner with them to deliver a product. Essentially, there is a car, a record deal, airtime deal and cohesion.”

Thus far and during the Season 2 roadshow, BOMU has registered an average of five hundred (500) members. In the process, it has managed to rebuild an average of ten BOMU District chapters nationwide.

Rasina commended the government for coming up with a project that caters for the welfare of artists and creative minds in Botswana.

“Our expectations from the next season is that it will be bigger and better. We appreciate the contribution of DBS and the recent focus towards the creative industry by government. Importantly, it is important to note that the creative industry should never be treated from a blanket approach view. Every region, district, village or town has its own talent. The heritage of Botswana is defined by the creative industry talent.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Report links child poverty to disability

12th March 2024

Child poverty is a pressing issue that affects millions of children around the world, and the link between child poverty and disability is a particularly concerning aspect of this problem. The recent research paper published by the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) sheds light on the stark reality that children with disabilities are more likely to be living in poverty compared to their non-disabled peers.

The findings of the research paper reveal that children with disabilities face higher levels of deprivation in basic capabilities such as education and health. This means that they are often excluded from essential services and opportunities that are necessary for their well-being and development. The wider gap in education outcomes between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers highlights the systemic barriers that prevent children with disabilities from accessing quality education.

Moreover, the higher rates of deprivation in health and food security among children with disabilities further exacerbate their vulnerability to illness and malnutrition. This not only impacts their physical well-being but also hinders their overall development and potential. The research paper also highlights the economic disparities faced by children with disabilities, indicating that they are more likely to experience poverty across demographic and economic variables.

The implications of these findings are profound and call for urgent action to address the inequalities faced by children with disabilities. Affirmative action is needed to ensure that policies and interventions are specifically targeted towards addressing the unique needs of children with disabilities. It is crucial to prioritize the inclusion and empowerment of children with disabilities in all aspects of society to ensure that they have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

In conclusion, the link between child poverty and disability is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and action. It is essential for policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to come together to create a more inclusive and equitable society where all children, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to reach their full potential. By addressing the root causes of poverty and discrimination faced by children with disabilities, we can work towards building a more just and compassionate world for all.

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Botswana’s internet rated the second fastest in Africa

8th March 2024

Botswana continues to make significant strides in its digital trasnformation aspirations, as it secures its position among the top-ranking African countries for mobile internet speed. Based on statistics from the Speedtest Global Index, Botswana has been rated the second fastest mobile internet speed in the continent, with an impressive 43.79Mbps, according to a recent study by Business Insider Africa.

This accomplishment demonstrates Botswana’s dedication to improving the quality of broadband internet in the country; and re-affirms its position as a leader in Africa’s telecommunications and ICT services. “The acknowledgment of Botswana’s internet as the 2nd fastest in Africa reflects our commitment to cultivating a digitally inclusive society,” remarked Mr. Keabetswe Segole, Acting CEO of Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet). “This achievement highlights our ongoing endeavors to enable all citizens to participate in the digital economy.” BoFiNet, the leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure in Botswana, has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s digital landscape.

Reflecting on BoFiNet’s contribution to Botswana’s digital connectivity, the Acting CEO stated:”BoFiNet takes pride in its role in securing Botswana’s position as the 2nd fastest country in Africa for mobile internet. Our robust fibre optic and microwave network has been pivotal in delivering high-speed connectivity to both urban and rural areas, ensuring access to reliable internet services for all citizens. We remain committed to fostering innovation and digital inclusion, thereby paving the way for a prosperous digital future in Botswana.” Through the recently launched SmartBots Village Connectivity project, 1,138 premises across 144 villages in different Botswana districts are able to connect to this fast internet.

Botswana’s population is utilising connectivity creatively as a result of a boom in mobile penetration, which is advancing the nation’s digitalisation. Rapid advancements in mobile high-speed internet are causing a digital revolution in Africa, bringing about changes in areas including the economy, education, healthcare, and empowerment.

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