Vice President says it is bad economics In a riveting parliamentary session, Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe delivered a blistering critique of Botswana’s contentious vegetable import ban, denouncing it as “very bad economics” during an impassioned exchange with Maun East representative Goretetse Kekgonegile. Gaolathe’s assessment laid bare the policy’s unintended consequences, revealing how a measure designed to bolster local agriculture has instead amplified economic hardships and derailed broader developmental aspirations. With surgical precision,...

Backbenchers want manifesto implementation, civil service sanitized MP Arafat Khan says UDC should put its people in strategic positions MP Phenyo Segokgo wants corrupt officials named and govt whip them Minister Major Mokgware suggests that Land Boards be dissolved ASAP A contingent of Members of Parliament from the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) have made their voices resoundingly clear in parliament over the past two weeks, urging their President, Advocate Duma Boko, to act...

Local filmmakers argue Botswana Ignites marginalizes them Calls for cancellation or restructuring to ensure inclusivity In a bold move to revolutionize its budding film and television sector, the Botswana government has teamed up with iconic American comedian and television host Steve Harvey. The project, known as “Botswana Ignite,” has stirred a mix of excitement and controversy. While some hail it as a groundbreaking initiative set to propel the nation’s creative industry onto the global stage,...

Botswana Prison Service to cleanse ranks of corrupt officers Officers suspected of engaging in “dirty dealings” Amidst mounting allegations of corruption within the Botswana Prison Service (BPS), a significant number of prison personnel are facing suspension as investigations into illicit activities intensify. Reports indicate that the BPS’s newly established intelligence division has compiled a dossier of staff and inmates implicated in various corrupt practices within the prison system. Approximately 100 prison officials have emerged as...

Ntuane declares his unavailability for BDP elective roles Expresses dedication to election observation across Africa Resigned from BDP CC in 2019 to focus on election observation BDP members had urged Ntuane to vie for party presidency Botsalo Ntuane, the erstwhile Secretary General of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and a seasoned legislator with two terms under his belt, has firmly rebuffed attempts to entice him back into the political arena to contend for the party’s...

In the appeal concerning charges of corruption and money laundering against the former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Carter Morupisi, retired South African Constitutional Court Judge Bess Nkabinde scrutinized the sentencing decision rendered by High Court Judge Chris Gabanagae. This critical examination followed submissions by Morupisi’s counsel, Obonye Jonas, who argued that the principles of sentencing were adhered to without error, and that the judge a quo correctly applied the Court of Appeal’s precedents...

Minister Mohwasa’s approach is marked by caution in handling affairs Lawmaker Khan advocates for swift, radical reforms to eradicate corruption An early glimpse of how UDC backbenchers might engage with the Executive At the epicenter of Botswana’s political dialogue, a significant debate is unfolding between two significant figures: Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa and Molepolole North Member of Parliament Arafat Khan. Their divergent perspectives encapsulate a broader discourse on governance, corruption, and the role...

The air was thick with anticipation as Hon. Onneetse Ramogapi, Minister of Water and Human Settlement, took to the podium to announce a sweeping revamp of Botswana’s SHHA Turnkey Programme. This initiative, designed to facilitate home ownership among low- and middle-income groups, has been a cornerstone of Botswana’s housing policy since its inception in 1973. Now, with a bold vision, the ministry is set to not only revamp and rebrand the programme but also launch...

The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) has unveiled substantial financial difficulties that have obstructed the execution of its Strategic Plan, initiated in 2020. The Authority reported a net deficit of P13 million for the fiscal year concluding March 31, 2024, with liabilities exceeding assets by more than P6.6 million. Furthermore, current liabilities surpassed current assets by P4 million. In its annual report, the CCA disclosed receipt of P42 million in government funding, accompanied by a...

Regional Chairpersons attribute election setback to Masisi’s leadership Concerns raised over Masisi’s secretive and unconstitutional practices Rejecting external consultants, leaders say they know cause of defeat Call for party reforms, restructuring leadership to an 8-member NEC Criticism of Masisi for preferring opportunists over loyal members As the dust settles on the seismic shift of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) losing power, all eyes are on President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who stands accused by his own party’s regional...