Botswana Guardian
Dark days ahead
As diamond stockpiles threaten economic recovery Production is expected to remain broadly unchanged Country needs miracle performance from non- mining sectors to boost economy Govt. urged to enhance productivity and promote private sector- led growth...
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Mzwinila strikes back
The Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP) has been accused of approaching the Court with “unclean hands” in its ongoing legal battle with former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Kefentse Mzwinila. The dispute centres on the cessation and handover...
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BURS in P15m suit over explosive audit report
South African firm drags taxman before court Demands payment for outstanding invoice, financial losses, and reputational damage Gaolathe, PS, former and current Commissioners General, accused of ignoring repercussions Five BURS officers reported to...
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Corruption wars pit DIS against DCEC
Clash of security agencies undermines national stability DCEC top brass clash over handling of high- profile cases Ministers lodge complaints to DCEC boss against her Deputy Former Minister Mzwinila allegedly used as pawn to catch Masisi,...
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State Presidency consolidates more power
Political and security- wise Minister Mohwasa is more powerful than VP Gaolathe – claim New changes makes Gaolathe a dwarf VP – Analysts Major shake- up hits BDF Removal of Defence Ministry portfolio ill- advised - Political Analyst Intelligence ‘...
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Boko’s Air Botswana board conflicted
Pushing for the sale of all aircraft - claim Expatriate Board members allegedly sabotaging locals Plans underway to sell E175 to a handpicked buyer without setting reserve price Board refuses to engage Minister Salakae, prefers Office of the President
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BURS’ porous system exposed
Taxpayers’ information at risk System allows fraudulent manipulation of information BURS non- compliant with international standards External Auditors’ experience, political, DIS interference BURS, Auditors’ standoff reaches Gaolathe’s office BURS...
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Debswana’s P300m tender sparks outrage over citizen exclusion
Procurement of the ERP system conducted in full compliance with procurement governance policies – Debswana
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BURS wars explode ... on Boko, Gaolathe’s faces
BURS P9 million audit debt stirs things up
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UDC in dirty money row
Fresh information has revealed that the current Government of the Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC) might have benefited from laundered funds for its campaign which ultimately landed them in power. UDC pulled the rug from under the Botswana...
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12 months of zero delivery
UDC fails to meet timelines Electoral promises replaced with new initiatives, policies It was political manipulation, we warned Batswana about this - Balopi They have to be punished for irresponsible promises - BCP They failed to deliver on key...
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No smoke without fifire!
Botswana besieged by counterfeit cigarettes smuggling Law enforcement agencies, politicians implicated Gaborone facility housed R15 million worth of counterfeit Remington Gold Cigarettes Counterfeit products smuggling business is lucrative but...
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Inside Boko’s P388 billion blueprint
Govt. unveils ambitious plan to accelerate economic diversification It’s more than a technical roadmap, it’s a people’s plan - Mohwasa Success will depend on execution, coherence and consistency - BEMA The plan outlines ambitious targets and...
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Botswana Oil embroiled in corruption allegations
BOL accused of conflict of interest, bias PS urged to rope in DCEC, PPRA for investigations BOL accused of colluding with South African bidder Complaint deemed frivolous, intended to frustrate procurement process- BOL CEO Implicated companies score 85%...
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BR’s leadership conundrum rages on
Board divided over recommendations by caretaker GM Board delays to action the recommendations Caretaker GM might only serve 3 months Caretaker GM, COO old wars resurface Financial institutions raise alarm over BR accounts management Life Compass,...
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Public Sector salary negotiations collapse
Salary negotiations between public Sector Trade Unions and government through the Directorate of Public Service Management ( DPSM) collapsed on Wednesday night this week. The employer, DPSM faced Five plus One public service trade unions over salary...
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Mystery Alliance sparks uproar in gambling sector
Industry players raise suspicions of possible money laundering We were caught off guard - claim I am still acquainting myself with the full scope of the Alliance - Kesitilwe It is too early to write them off - Botswana Gambling Authority Where is...
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BTC executives face the axe
Heads to roll as BTC restructures at the Executive level BTC runs through duplication of duties at the Executive level EXCO paid themselves exorbitant salaries, allowances- claim It is part of BTC’s broader ambition to drive faster decision- making-...
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Corruption allegations rock DCEC
Procurement corruption rampant at DCEC - claim Senior officials allegedly collude with procurement officers to favour certain companies Company partitions office for close to P3 million No competitive bidding for some projects One company rakes in...
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Mmankgodi- Tloaneng Gabane Link Road Tender Tender turmoil sparks DCEC probe
Technical Services reportedly pressured to escalate the matter Minister and Permanent Secretary deny prior knowledge PS: Issue discussed only at departmental level Pula Consultants’ lawyers: Client fully disclosed qualifications to employer
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Botswana Railways off the rails
BR Board, Management, Minister at loggerheads BR risks missing President’s deadline for profitability OP accused of meddling in BR affairs BR Board terminates Life Compass Botswana contract amidst existence of legally binding MoA Life Compass...
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Clock ticking for AB board
Questions asked on the role played by the old board to save AB Aircraft with defects passed as airworthy by the Inspection Team Poor record keeping a major concern
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Government is dead broke
☛ P8.3 billion loan from BoB, BPOPF depleted in a week ☛ Govt. suspends GPO generation ☛ Revenue inflows decrease, public expenditure increases ☛ MDAs continue to commit Govt. to more financial obligations ☛ Reliance on SACU Revenue Pool not...
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Justice Walia reported to President Boko
Judge’s integrity questioned President called on to investigate Justice Walia Walia not fit to be a judge – Claim Accused of abuse of office and violation of oath His relationship with Armstrong Attorneys resurfaces Justice has for long maintained...
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Heads to roll at Air Botswana
Airline struggles linked to leadership and operational inefficiencies Profitability by December 2025 within reach, provided intent drives reform - Experts Two board members stand to be relieved of their positions Board crafts turnaround strategy
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Battle for control of the Delta
A fight for the control of the multimillion Pula Tourism sector has erupted in the delta as operators clash with community trusts over traversing rights. A lucrative concession in the Okavango Delta - NG32 has pitted operators against some Trusts,...
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Botswana Railways corruption rot exposed
New Board clashes with Executive Management Board stops unnecessary expenditure and procurement Executive Management accuses Board of paralysing BR operations Board contends it is cleaning corruption mess Board suspends all transactions above P1...
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BURS top brass on tenterhooks
Environment at BURS hostile as leadership change is mulled Makgolo could be replaced by Commissioner of Customs Minister Gaolathe supports appointment of Valashia as Commissioner General BURS environment is very toxic- claim We don’t discuss...
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No salary increment for public servants
The government, through the Directorate of Public Service Management ( DPSM), has brought nothing to the negotiation table with the six ( 6) recognised Trade Unions, Botswana Guardian can reveal. The two negotiating teams started their engagement on...
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President Adv Boko’s headache
President confirms bad blood between Ministers, Permanent Secretaries Some Ministers demand President to fire Permanent Secretaries They send me messages asking me how far – Boko President says he needs to manage this tension Refuses to accede to...
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BNF at crossroads
Rival factions disagree on compromise ahead of elective congress There’s a greater scheme to topple Gaolathe, Motshegwa - claim Gaolathe’s removal could polarise UDC government That is contrived, spurious, and malicious allegations – Mohwasa DIS...
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Gumare- Sepopa road stalls
Costs skyrocket from P110m to over 300m as Bango Trading gets another variation Third variation hits another P40m, as other contractors accuse Roads Department of favouring ‘ under- performing’ Bango Trading ‘ This is unfair to other companies that...
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Permanent Secretaries’ jobs at stake
Ministers clash with PSs over trust, decision- making Ramogapi, Mohwasa, Dr Butale and Kelebeng lead charge for changes Cost of termination clauses a stumbling block Ball on President Boko’s court
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Boardroom squabbles hit BIDPA
Board of Trustees approve Dr Somolekae as ED even though she reached retirement age Board revises offer letter to include new improved incentives Corruption, maladministration, nepotism high at the country’s Think Tank BIDPA has more vacant...
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Scramble for Debswana’s P21bn CEEP programme
Political upheaval and corruption allegations emerge Prominent UDC figures prepare to assert influence Concerns arise over the potential disenfranchisement of citizen- owned companies A power struggle unfolds between Executive Management and the...
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Education Ministry faces P24 million lawsuit
Former public servant sues Ministry for financial, property loss Officer abandoned in SA in 2010 Records reveal contradiction by the Ministry on officer’s whereabouts Case expected to draw significant attention to maladministration, negligence and...
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Govt entangled in Multichoice internal wars
Why was an instruction for a waiver to grant a work permit for Multi Choice Botswana Managing Director issued from the Office of the President instead of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs? These are some of the questions that some Multi Choice...
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Moody’s downgrades Botswana’s outlook
Moody’s Investors Service ( Moody’s) affirmed Botswana’s long- term local and foreign currency issuer ratings at “A3” for 2025 but downgraded the outlook on the country from stable to negative. The negative outlook is on account of Moody’s expectation...
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The loud Koobonye
The whole of this week, the newsroom has been engulfed in silence. We have been missing our Houdini, and your presence is something that all of us miss. Tota wena, RamKay you were Houdini in every sense. In all my entire 15 plus years in the newsroom,...
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Botswana Water Tenders dominated by Chinese cartel
A storm is brewing over the Molepolole Water System project as a Chinese construction cartel, initially favoured by the former Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) administration, continues to secure major contracts. This time it is with backing from...
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Moment
The youth in the picture whose remains of what was once pair of shoes was replaced with brand new pair of shoes courtesy of CrossGold, APP, PEP and other companies that had extended their corporate social responsibility to Lerolwane Primary School in...
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Moment
In the rugged heart of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the narrow roads offer no room to overtake, so if you're behind a vehicle, you're in it together— because in this wild, unforgiving terrain, solidarity is survival
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Moment
Himba children were amazed to see themselves on a camera display, a rare experience for this Bantu group living in Namibia's Kaokoveld and across the Kunene River in Angola.
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Pick n Pay wants to acquire NTS Holdings
Competition and Consumer Authority ( CCA) is assessing a proposed acquisition of the entire shareholding in NTS Holdings operating in Botswana by South African based Pick n Pay Retailers Proprietary Limited. PnP Retailers, is a company incorporated in...
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Moment
What was once a motorist's nightmare along the Gumare- Shakawe route has now transformed into an all- you- can- drink water basin for the local wildlife and livestock. This is thanks to the snail- paced progress of the road reconstruction under the...
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Botswana on edge as condom... salary increment Wage bill to increase by P1.6 billion shortage looms “Botswana has recorded better economic growth averaging 6 percent since Hard times are here 2010”
According to a document passed on to Botswana Guardian, BOFEPUSU proposes a P30m spent on condom procurement annually otswana Federation of Public Sector Union salary increment of 13.5 percent for all the parties ( BOFEPUSU) has proposed a 13.5...
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DIS bought phone- tapping gadgets ahead of 2024 election
The Directorate on Intelligence Services ( DIS) acquired phone tapping equipment worth over P13 million about eight months before last year’s election, reinforcing public concerns that the spy agency was prepared to interfere in the election, leaked...
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Dicey balancing act for Gaolathe
As the nation eagerly awaits the new administration’s first Budget Speech scheduled for next Monday, economist Dr Lesego Sekwati of the University of Botswana has shared some thoughts on what Batswana should expect. Speaking to Botswana Guardian, Dr...
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ON THIN ICE ... Will PSP survive Boko’s admin?
The Permanent Secretary to the President, Emma Peloetletse, is poised to leave her post before the completion of her contract, which expires this year in March, Botswana Guardian has learnt. Botswana Guardian has established that this is mainly due to...
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moment
The rugged terrain of the CKGR poses a significant challenge even for top- tier off- road vehicles, and it becomes even more difficult for those towing trailers. This was evident in the case of an ablution trailer that was unable to navigate through...
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NBFs increased borrowing from banks risky
Bank of Botswana Financial Stability report indicates that there is increasing vulnerabilities for the nonfinancial corporates relating to credit risk and leverage as they borrow more to finance their operations and business expansion. The central...
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Police Commissioner faces class action lawsuit
Botswana Police Commissioner, Dinah Marathe is facing class action legal suit from close to 200 former police officers over unfair dismissal. The former officers argue that processes and the law were flouted by senior police officers who handled their...
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De Beers’ Element Six partners with Lightsynq
Element Six, a synthetic diamond company, which is part of De Beers, has partnered with Lightsynq, a new quantum interconnect startup founded by Harvard PhDs and former research leads at the AWS Centre for Quantum Networking. De Beers said Lightsynq...
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moment
A newly born Impala being welcomed by its mother and being groomed while its mother waits for it to get it stregnth to be able to be up on its feet and hit the ground running, wonders of nature
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Moment
CANNING RICHES Some enterprising local entrepreneurs have found a niche in the informal business of collecting cans and selling them for recycling purposes.
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PstBet Botswana to open first branch in Gaborone’s Molapo Crossing Mall
PstBet Botswana, the company which was recently awarded a sports betting license by Gambling Authority is set to open its first branch in Gaborone by end of this month, making it the first of its kind operator to set shop in Botswana. Botswana...
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Economy slows to 1 % on weak diamond demand
The Monetary Policy Committee ( MPC) of Bank of Botswana projects a decline of 1 percent in domestic economic growth for 2024, down from 2.7 percent in 2023. This decline is partly due to a downturn in the diamond industry, driven by weak global demand...
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acquires Forest Farm
Competition and Consumer Authority is assessing the proposed acquisition of Farm Forest Hill No. 9- KO, from Royal Empress by FaR Property. FaR Property, is a public company listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange. Its majority shareholders with five...
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De Beers maintains production guidance for 2024 as expectation for recovery remains protracted
De Beers has maintained its production guidance for 2024 at 23 million to 26 million carats as the midstream continues to hold higher- than- normal levels of inventory and the expectation for recovery remains protracted. The diamond group, which is...
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BSE halts Botala Energy trading
Botswana Stock Exchange ( BSE) has announced a halt on trading of the Botala Energy securities on the bourse. According to BSE, the halting of securities is a normal market practice to enable investors to absorb significant news about a company so that...
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Annual inflation declines
Annual inflation rate decreased by of 2.4 percentage points to 1.5 percent in September compared to the rate of 3.9 percent in August. According Statistics Botswana, the primary contributors to the annual inflation in September were the miscellaneous...
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Lucara sells Clara platform
Lucara Diamond Corp. announced that it is selling off its 100percent interest in the Clara Rough Diamond Sales Platform ( Clara) to its original founders, a group led by the HRA Group of Companies and Eira Thomas. Clara is a rough diamond digital...
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Diamond production down nearly 30 %
Diamond production decreased by 18.7 percent ( 1,110 thousand carats) during the second quarter of 2024 to 4,812 million carats from 5,922 million carats produced during the second quarter of 2023. Statistics Botswana Mineral Production report...
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Moment
In various countries, graffiti celebrates history on city walls, using art to help people remember their heritage. The image above, captured in New Town, South Africa, features graffiti of Zenzile Miriam Makeba, known as Mama Africa, a renowned singer,...
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