Cock and bull story pits Dums against Boko
Opposition factions are refusing to bury the hatchet since the October 2019 elections, and lately some quarters in the Umbrella of Democratic Change (UDC) are accusing Vice President, Dumelang Saleshando of failing to recognize that he rode on funds from Duma Boko’s sponsors. A new ‘smear campaign’ he has dismissed with contempt.
In Saleshando’s view the alleged gift would have been like buying a pig in a poke because no candidate received any funds from the UDC in the run up to the 2019 elections. Saleshando has decided to call his detractors’ bluff and asked them to him the evidence of the funds he received from Boko’s sponsors.
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The two camps have developed the habit to often butt heads on social media platforms. According to the claim, four months prior to last year’s elections campaign Saleshando was bankrolled by party President, Duma Boko’s sponsors. According to some insiders in the UDC, Boko solicited funds for Saleshando to ensure a smooth campaign.
The total budget was R1 057 829.00. Among the items that were to be covered by this amount included photography and videography (R409 860, 00), launch event (R276 000, 00), 53 jumpsuits (R62 169, 00) center of operation (R27 600, 00). There was also a budget for fuel for P10, 000 (R13 800, 00), 50 foot soldiers doing house to house campaigns were to get P1500 (R103, 500, 00), a team leader P10 000 (R13 800, 00) and two assistants P5000 each (R33 800, 00). The total amount from August to November totaled R 1 057 829, 00. This is contained in a spreadsheet seen by this reporter, a document Saleshando could only label as fake.
In fact, it is said every constituency was assisted with resources sourced by Boko to canvass votes in the hotly contested elections. But those who call a spade a spade within the opposition bloc are taken aback by the puerile smear, and they ask, so what if Boko assisted constituencies? They accuse those targeting Saleshando with conspiracies and hold that they can’t see the forest for the trees.
Saleshando fervently dismisses the claim that he was ever assisted by Boko’s sponsors financially in his campaign. “None of the items listed on the spreadsheet were funded.
I know nothing about it,” he says. Saleshando won Maun West by 9713 followed Reaboka Mbulawa of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) with 6409 and Alliance for Progressive (AP) Moalosi Sebati with 557. Saleshando who is currently Leader of Opposition (LOO) in Parliament, after succeeding Boko, added, “I did not get any funds from the UDC for my campaign. None of the Parliamentary and council candidates got any funds from the UDC.” The UDC Vice President said those planting this information are merely trying to carve out a niche in disinformation.
On the other hand some in the party agree with him that the resources were not mobilized by the party but rather Boko. “Every constituency was assisted with T-shirts, and resources for the launch and it varied as per the hierarchy.” However the UDC VP could not specifically talk to this assertion. Those sponsoring this claim are of the dim view that sponsoring Saleshando’s campaign was like casting pearls before swine.
The UDC treasury led by Dennis Alexander built a circle of wagons around Saleshando and closed the books on the P1 million claim insisting ‘it is hogwash’. “I do not have any knowledge any such amounts having been paid out by the UDC for the candidate mentioned,” he briefly said. He however could not respond to whether Boko had solicited funds elsewhere that he assisted constituencies and candidates with saying “you will appreciate the responsibility and sensitivity around the position and office,” said Alexander. In simple terms, the UDC treasurer said this is a cock and bull story.
There is allegedly simmering tension between Boko and Saleshando of late. This according to those in the know emanates from their divergent views on how the umbrella set up should be reconfigured.
Boko prefers the status quo while his assistant wants a total merger. Not only that, it is said Saleshando’s Botswana Congress Party (BCP) holds a view that Boko’s leadership may cook goose for UDC to a point it may not win the next election. Now those fighting from Boko’s corner say the views of the BCP are tantamount to sabotage because Boko assisted Saleshando who now seems to be waging a takeover war on him.[/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.