Balopi faction opposes BDP reforms
Scores of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members sympathetic to party secretary general, Mpho Balopi are mobilising other democrats to oppose the proposed reforms by the Central Committee at the next congress. In what is seen a calculated political move to obliterate Balopi, the Central Committee wants the secretary general position to be a full-time salaried job, in which the incumbent would be expected to lead the secretariat without other responsibilities.
The proposal, if adopted by the congress, gives Balopi two options; to quit his legislative role to remain secretary general, or to cede the secretary general position in order to remain a Member of Parliament. Masisi and Balopi have not been in good terms since 2019 elections and the fallout has been widening despite cease fire attempts. However, this publication has learnt that with the party chairman traversing the width and breadth of the country addressing structures, the other axis is also in their own mission. The strategy is for the members at grassroots not to buy in a suggestion by the CC to have a full time secretary general.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]The members believe that the motive is to strip off Balopi’s SG position within the party, which is the third powerful in the party hierarchy. Tensions are simmering and now the BDP wants to eliminate Balopi from the position, sources say. This, according to highly placed sources is motivated by the thought that Balopi and other members are forming a slate that will take the party leadership head on at the upcoming elective congress penciled for July.
“Surely that should not see the light of the day. I understand the plan is to make the position similar to that of the ANC (African National Congress). But the environment here is not the same as that side, and that is exactly what we are saying. The Democrats should leave the status quo as is,” said councilor occupying top seat in one of the city councils. He continued; “This is harbored to kill his grip on the party, but it is not democratic, it is just intimidation but we are hopeful that the party members will listen to us.”
Some in the party youth league also antagonize the thought by the party leadership. “That would be wrong, we wouldn’t support it. It shall never see the light of the day. I am in support of the current system where the SG is being voted for by the members and should be active as MP.”
Party spokesperson Banks Kentse has in the past confirmed the developments. “A serious consideration is being made on that. It will help the party machinery to run fully and ensure structures are always effective and efficient.”
He added that the Central Committee will advise accordingly as to when this would be implemented but emphasized that, “It might be before or at congress (National Elective.” For his part, Balopi says he does not have any qualms with the proposed change as the SG, but will wait for the relevant structures to deal with the matter.
“As an individual I cannot say I want or don’t, it is for the party through relevant structures like the National Council or Congress to approve or disapprove. If this is mooted by CC then it will have to go through the National Council but if it is from other structures it will have to be deliberated upon by the national congress. This party is bigger than us.”
The longest serving BDP SG Daniel Kwelagobe says it would be regrettable for the party to take that route. “What I know is the SG is voted by the congress and they have the Executive Secretary (ES) where you can employ someone of certain qualifications. The ES makes it possible for the SG to be a politician so that he doesn’t lose touch with the people out there and remains relevant not an SG who would be confined in the party offices.”
The party mouthpiece Kentse revealed that their programs have been severely messed up by Covid. “I hope that when the CC sits for the first time in 2022, it will provide guidance on these.” He was responding as to when the party will convene for the National Council, Youth Wing Congress and Women’s Wing Congress. The CC is expected to meet next month. It is revealed that the SG will become more of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the party as he will be working from 8-5pm supervising the whole party Secretariat.
In addition, they should not be active in politics. The SG, nonetheless, will attend the weekly BDP parliamentary caucus and he will also be an Ex-officio in the party Central Committee meetings, sources highlight. If the plan see the light of the day at either and go to the congress, the party president will propose the name of the preferred SG and will be endorsed unless the members suggest another name. If there are more than one name, then voting will take place.
Article 28 of the BDP Constitution says there shall be a Central Committee which shall consist of 18 members; President, Chairpersons, Secretary General, Treasurer, Deputy Secretary General, Deputy Treasurer. Ordinary members of the party (10) and Chairpersons of the Women’s and Youth Wings.[/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.