DIS goes unwatched as Opposition boycotts oversight
The controversial Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS) will once again escape the watchful eye of the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security. This comes after President Mokgweetsi Masisi failed to have the buy-in of Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando in constituting members of the Oversight Committee.
According to the DISS Act, there shall be Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security appointed by the President in consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Leader of the Opposition.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]The committee was last appointed in 2009, but has been dysfunctional after opposition members resigned from the committee owing to dissatisfaction on a number of key issues. However, in his bid to reconstitute the committee, Masisi reached out to Saleshando and Speaker Phandu Skelemani this week but was unsuccessful after failing to meet demands by the Leader of the Opposition to subject DIS to a forensic audit and reviewing the DISS Act to ensure that it complies with international best practices.
“The DISS has since inception been dogged by serious allegations of mal-administration, corruption and operating slush funds with blessing of political leadership,” said Saleshando in a statement of Thursday after a meeting with Masisi. “Current and former employees of the DISS are facing charges that include money laundering and terrorism. There are claims that the charges are trumped up and all the accused persons are likely to walk free.”
Saleshando said that clearly it is not well within the organisation and there is need to clean up, making a forensic audit urgent and imperative. The Maun West Member of Parliament argued that the Act that created the DIS never intended to deliver an institution that is subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and oversight.
“Once a committee of Parliament is appointed by the President and reports to the President, it cannot pass the basic test of an oversight,” Saleshando contended. “The Act has created a monster that the nation fears and is a black hole that gobbles millions of Pula annually.”
Saleshando said it is on this basis that the Act is reviewed to allow the nation the services of a professionally run and accountable spy agency. “The President could not commit to prioritisation of the issues I presented to him on cleaning up and fixing the DISS. His narrow interest was on meeting the minimum legal requirements. In essence, the meeting was meant to tick a box and carry on with the business as usual approach,” the Leader of Opposition said.
“On behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition, I informed the President that we will not be part of a fruitless exercise that will have no impact in reversing the rot at DISS. It is in the nation’s interest for the leadership to investigate the DISS corruption and looting and also reviewing the law to avoid the pitfalls that have defined the journey of the DISS.”
In conclusion to his statement, Saleshando said none of the opposition Members of Parliament will serve in the President’s Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security. The move by Saleshando was a severe blow to Masisi, who has been hoping to score points for himself in his bid to fulfil his campaign rhetoric as a president who believes in the rule of law.
In boycotting the committee, Saleshando maintains his long standing opposition to the DIS. Saleshando, in his first term and as the only Botswana Congress (BCP) MP in 2007, joined 12 other Botswana National Front (BNF) MPs to boycott parliamentary proceedings during the debate on the DISS bill.
In 2018, then DIS chief, Colonel Isaac Kgosi told Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the perception that DIS does not account to anyone has nothing to do with him but the oversight bodies which have for years failed to convene a meeting that would summon the DIS boss.
“It is a matter which is beyond me. I cannot account to myself or I cannot cause the meeting to take place because there is an oversight body mandated to do that,” he said. The paralysis of Intelligence and Security Parliamentary Committee has left the country’s secret service organ with only the President to account to.
In 2014, nominees to the committee from opposition ranks; Ndaba Gaolathe and Shaun Nthaile declined to sit in the committee. The committee has been dysfunctional since the 10th parliament. In 2014, members of the Intelligence and Security Parliamentary Committee, Bagalatia Arone, and former MP for Mmopane-Lentsweletau, Major General Moeng Pheto, resigned from the committee amid reports that its Chairperson, Kagiso Molatlhegi refused to convene a sitting to summon the DIS Director to appear before the committee over corruption allegations that were doing rounds in the media at that time. [/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.