Figures Show Rise in COVID Cases After Alcohol Ban Task Force Coordinator Says Alcohol Is Not the Only Spread Factor

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Figures Show Rise in COVID Cases After Alcohol Ban Task Force Coordinator Says Alcohol Is Not the Only Spread Factor THE BOTSWANA GAZEttE WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 FIGURES SHOW RISEPAGE 1 IN COVID CASES AFTER ALCOHOL BAN PAGE 4 WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 FREE! “Kitso ke maatla” DPP INVOKES NATIONAL SECURITY ACT AGAINST DCEC Last Friday, DPP Director issued a notice instructing the Police to search and seize from DCEC every document and evidence that is in connection with the “Butterfly” case. • DPP accuses DCEC of withholding “Butterfly” docket • DCEC chiefs could face imprisonment for non-compliance • DCEC maintains it has no evidence on the wild goose chase • Review of withdrawal in court today PAGES 2 & 3 PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE CODE OF ETHICS The motion comes against the background of two Domkrag MPs, Anna Mokgethi and Pono Moatlhodi, facing different charges in court and will put their colleagues in a ticklish position after the MP for Nata-Gweta, Polson Majaga, was suspended from the party when he answered charges of defilement last year. The BDP is likely to be accused of male chauvinism and that it lacks consistency and fairness. PAGE 6-7 Up to Apply for a No Mathata P600,000 loan today. for a Personal Loan. To find out more about the No Mathata Personal Loan, call us on 361 5800. sc.com/bw Terms and conditions apply. PAGE 2 NEWS WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 THE BOTSWANA GAZETTE issued a notice instructing BPS to DPP INVOKES NATIONAL search and seize from DCEC ev- ery document and evidence that is in connection with the “Butterfly” SECURITY ACT AGAINST DCEC case. The instruction was issued Last Friday, the DPP Director issued a notice instructing the Police to search and seize through the Section 13 sub-sec- tions 1 and 2 of the National Secu- from DCEC every document and evidence that is in connection with the “Butterfly” case. rity Act. Under this law, any person who, having been re- quired to give information or to at- tend at a specified time and place, wilfully fails to comply with such a requirement or knowingly gives false information, shall be guilty of an offence. Such crimes can at- tract imprisonment not exceeding 12 years. While the DPP is still deter- mined to pursue previous charges against “Butterfly,” among them terrorism, DCEC officials could find themselves in violation of the National Security Act and the Terrorism Act if they fail to com- ply with the notice. BPS sources say violation of these could open DCEC officials to charges of abet- ting terrorism that can attract pris- on sentences of up to 30 years. Asked about the notice which this publication has seen, Katlholo did not deny receiving the order but chose not to engage over the matter with the media on Monday this week. Some DCEC officers tasked with the “Butterfly” case confirmed being slapped with the notice. However, the Attorney Gen- eral Abraham Keetshabe, who is the lawyer for the state, told this • DPP accuses DCEC of withholding “Butterfly” docket the evidence relating to the case or publication that the DPP has inde- face imprisonment, The Botswana pendent powers and that he was • DCEC chiefs could face imprisonment for non-compliance Gazette has established. therefore constrained to comment. • DCEC maintains it has no evidence and docket on “Butterfly” South Africa-based Advocate Tiroyakgosi declined to discuss Gerrie Nel recently told journal- this issue saying it was a matter • Review of withdrawal in court today ists at a press briefing in Gaborone between the DCEC and the DPP that although he recommended that while the Commissioner of Police LAWRENCE SERETSE & LETLHOGILE (DCEC) for evidence that DPP be- it would be “irresponsible” of the Keabetswe Makgophe did not an- MPUANG lieves could help convict the agent State to proceed with prosecution swer his phones at the time of go- without sufficient evidence, the ing to press. n pursuit of nailing DISS agent known as “Butterfly.” . State remains convinced that critical DCEC: THE DOCKET? WHAT Wilheminah Maswabi, the Di- According to sources within Bo- evidence is being withheld by other DOCKET? rectorate of Public Prosecu- tswana Police Service (BPS), the I head of DCEC, Tymon Katlholo, law enforcement agencies in Bo- The background to this is that tions (DPP) has turned up the heat tswana and South Africa. The latest DCEC has been consistent that it on its own allies, the Directorate of and his assistants were last week issued with a demand to release all twist in the tale is that last Friday, continues to page3 Corruption and Economic Crimes DPP Director Stephen Tiroyakgosi WESTERNWESTERNWESTERN INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ESTATES ESTATES (PROPRIETARY) (PROPRIETARY) (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED LIMITED LIMITED A Member of the BDC Group of Companies A MemberA Member of the of BDC the BDCGroup Group of Companies of Companies INVITATIONINVITATION FOR FOR EXPRESSION EXPRESSION OF OF INTEREST INTEREST (EOI) (EOI) SOLICITING SOLICITING BUSINESS BUSINESS PARTNERS PARTNERS OR TENANTS OR TENANTS TO PROPOSE TO PROPOSE THE BEST POSSIBLE THE BEST VALUE POSSIBLE FOR VALUE FOR MONEY UTILISATION OF LOT 18721, PALAPYE INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTERESTMONEY UTILISATION(EOI) SOLICITING OF LOT 18721, PARTNERS PALAPYE OR TENANT FOR A PLANNED The requirement The WIErequirement is desirous of seeking DEVELOPMENTbusiness partners or potential tenants OF for ANthe utilisation INDUSTRIAL of Lot 18721, Palapye WAREHOUSE measuring approximately 100 AT hectares. LOT The property 22048, is located GABORONE within Palapye just off the A1 motorway between WIE isMahalapye desirous andof seeking Francistown. business The property partners was or potentialinitially earmarked tenants for the developmentutilisation of ofLot a Glass18721, Factory Palapye project. measuring The factory approximately including buildings 100 hectares. of around The 12000 property sqm isand located infrastructure within Palapyeon site which just offwere the never A1 motorway between Mahalapyecompleted. and The Francistown. property also The has propertytwo railway was lines initially and a BPC earmarked substation for with the incomplete development electrical of reticulation.a Glass Factory This provides project. access The factory to raw materials including and buildings exit of products of around to the 12000market bothsqm Southand infrastructure and North bound. on Thissite which were never Site Visit completed.location Theis within property proximity also to has raw two materials railway like lines soda and ash aand BPC coal. substation with incomplete electrical reticulation. This provides access to raw materials and exit of products to the market both South and North bound. This A site visit will be undertaken on the 26th August 2021 from 9am to 10am at Lot 22048 Gaborone for any party requiring the same. The site visit will not be mandatory but may assist the relevance of the location is within proximity to raw materials like soda ash and coal. submission.Site All Visit enquiries should be directed to the below emails with a copy to [email protected] . There shall be a deadline of 2nd September 2021 for all enquiries. A site visit will be undertaken on the 21st of June 2021 from 11am to 12noon for any party requiring the same. The site visit will not be mandatory but may assist the relevance of the submission. Site Visit Name: Katso Gaobakwe Email: [email protected] Name: Itseng Kgetse Email: [email protected] A siteFor visit more will information be undertaken on the oninvitation the 21st kindly of Junevisit our 2021 social from media 11am pages: to 12noon for any party requiring the same. The site visit will not be mandatory but may assist the relevance of the submission. For moreFor more information informationBotswana on the on invitationtheDevelopment invitation kindly Corporation kindly visit: visit BDC our Social social media @BDCLimited pages:pages. Botswana Development Corporation @BDCLimited THE BOTSWANA GAZEttE WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2021 NEWS PAGE 3 DPP INVOKES NATIONAL SECURITY ACT AGAINST DCEC from page2 was never involved in charges submitted before the courts after DISS and the DPP seconded investigator Jako Hubona without involving DCEC. Former head of DCEC Brigadier Joseph Mathambo has gone on record to disown Hubona’s submissions to the DPP on the matter. In a leaked audio recording of a meeting with the DPP and DISS, the DCEC maintained that there was no evidence for them to submit to the prosecutor. DCEC submitted that they had previously spoken to DPP’s deputy director at the time and to DISS Director General Peter Magosi and suggested that as far as DCEC was concerned, they did not want to intrude on the mandate of the DPP. PLOT TO FIRE DCEC TOP BRASS? Observers believe that the latest move by the DPP might be a plot by some forces within Government Enclave to get rid of some DCEC officials. Sources say former DCEC Director General Brigadier Joseph Mathambo was fired because he was said to be refusing to hand over the “Butterfly” Expression of Interest docket to the DPP. Mathambo had on several occasions also stated that they EOI/007/FNBB/2021 The latest twist COVID-19 Case Management in the tale is that last Friday, DPP Director Stephen The exponential increase of COVID-19 infections and related illnesses in Botswana Tiroyakgosi demands a greater need for personalised medical care to support affected FNBB employees and their immediate families. This necessitates virtually reaching out to issued a notice all employees across the country. Case management in this regard is pivotal in monitoring and driving health improvement and reduce complications associated instructing BPS to with COVID-19. Provision of medical support for all COVID-19 cases: search and seize • Daily symptom Monitoring and management • Facilitate testing and prescriptions from DCEC every • Facilitate the necessary referrals • Contact tracing • Surveillance document and • Data Management (COVID-19 Case) evidence that is in Interested companies should prepare the following documentation for submission after receiving the RFP: a) Company Registration Certificate connection with b) Company Extract (all pages) c) Certified I.D copies of Directors and Shareholders the “Butterfly” d) Copy of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate e) Company Profile f) Trading License (Where applicable) case.
Recommended publications
  • OSAC Country Security Report Botswana
    OSAC Country Security Report Botswana Last Updated: July 28, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Botswana at Level 4, indicating that travelers should not travel to Botswana due to COVID-19. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Botswana 41 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a High state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Gaborone as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Botswana. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Criminal incidents, particularly crimes of opportunity (e.g., purse snatchings, smash-and-grabs from parked cars and in traffic, residential burglaries), can occur regardless of location. Theft of mobile phones, laptop computers, and other mobile devices are common. Criminals can be confrontational. Criminals often arm themselves with knives or blunt objects (e.g., tools, shovels, bats). Botswana has strict gun-control laws, but criminals reportedly smuggle firearms from neighboring countries where weapons are inexpensive and readily available. A public awareness campaign highlights this issue and requests the public report illegal firearms to the police. Reporting indicates instances of non-violent residential burglaries and violent home invasions. Incidents affect local residents, expatriates, and visitors alike. Robberies and burglaries tend to spike during the holiday seasons.
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Hansard 08 March 2017
    DAILY YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY 08 MARCH 2017 MIXED VERSION HANSARD NO. 187 DISCLAIMER Unocial Hansard This transcript of Parliamentary proceedings is an unocial version of the Hansard and may contain inaccuracies. It is hereby published for general purposes only. The nal edited version of the Hansard will be published when available and can be obtained from the Assistant Clerk (Editorial). THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER The Hon. Gladys K. T. Kokorwe MP. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Hon. Kagiso P. Molatlhegi, MP Gaborone South Clerk of the National Assembly - Ms B. N. Dithapo Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly - Ms T. Tsiang Learned Parliamentary Counsel - Mr S. Chikanda Assistant Clerk (E) - Mr R. Josiah CABINET His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr. S. K. I. Khama PH, FOM, - President DCO, DSM, MP. His Honour M. E. K. Masisi, MP. (Moshupa- Vice President Manyana) - Hon. Dr. P. Venson-Moitoi, MP. (Serowe South) - Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Hon. S. Tsogwane, MP. (Boteti North) - Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. N. E. Molefhi, MP. (Selebi Phikwe East) - Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development Hon. S. Kgathi, MP. (Bobirwa) - Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Hon. O. K. Mokaila, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. P. M. Maele, MP. (Lerala - Maunatlala) - Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Hon. E. J. Batshu, MP. (Nkange) - Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Hon. D. K. Makgato, MP. (Sefhare - Ramokgonami) - Minister of Health and Wellness Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • The Republic of Botswana Second and Third Report To
    THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA SECOND AND THIRD REPORT TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS (ACHPR) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS 2015 1 | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PART I. a. Abbreviations b. Introduction c. Methodology and Consultation Process II. PART II. A. General Information - B. Laws, policies and (institutional) mechanisms for human rights C. Follow-up to the 2010 Concluding observations D. Obstacles to the exercise and enjoyment of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter: III. PART III A. Areas where Botswana has made significant progress in the realization of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter a. Article 2, 3 and 19 (Non-discrimination and Equality) b. Article 7 & 26 (Fair trial, Independence of the Judiciary) c. Article 10 (Right to association) d. Article 14 (Property) e. Article 16 (Health) f. Article 17 (Education) g. Article 24 (Environment) B. Areas where some progress has been made by Botswana in the realization of the rights and liberties enshrined in the African Charter a. Article 1er (implementation of the provisions of the African Charter) b. Article 4 (Life and Integrity of the person) c. Article 5 (Human dignity/Torture) d. Article 9 (Freedom of Information) e. Article 11 (Freedom of Assembly) f. Article 12 (Freedom of movement) g. Article 13 (participation to public affairs) h. Article 15 (Work) i. Article 18 (Family) j. Article 20 (Right to existence) k. Article 21 (Right to freely dispose of wealth and natural resources) 2 | P a g e C.
    [Show full text]
  • Judging the Epidemic: a Judicial Handbook on HIV, Human Rights
    Judging the epidemic A judicial handbook on HIV, human rights and the law UNAIDS / JC2497E (English original, May 2013) ISBN 978-92-9253-025-9 Copyright © 2013. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). All rights reserved. Publications produced by UNAIDS can be obtained from the UNAIDS Information Production Unit. Reproduction of graphs, charts, maps and partial text is granted for educational, not-for-profit and commercial purposes as long as proper credit is granted to UNAIDS: UNAIDS + year. For photos, credit must appear as: UNAIDS/name of photographer + year. Reproduction permission or translation-related requests—whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution—should be addressed to the Information Production Unit by e-mail at: [email protected]. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNAIDS concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. UNAIDS does not warrant that the information published in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use. Unless otherwise indicated photographs used in this document are used for illustrative purposes only. Unless indicated, any person depicted in the document is a “model”, and use of the photograph does not indicate endorsement by the model of the content of this document nor is there any relation between the model and any of the topics covered in this document.
    [Show full text]
  • IN the HIGH COURT of BOTSWANA HELD at LOBATSE Misca. No. 52
    IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOTSWANA HELD AT LOBATSE Misca. No. 52 of 2002 In the matter between: ROY SESANA 1st Applicant KEIWA SETLHOBOGWA AND OTHERS 2nd & further Applicants and THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (in his Respondent capacity as Recognized agent of the Government of the Republic of Botswana) Mr. G. Bennett for the Applicants Mr. S. T. Pilane with him Mr. L. D. Molodi for the Respondent J U D G M E N T CORAM: Hon. Mr. Justice M. Dibotelo Hon. Justice U. Dow Hon. Mr. Justice M. P. Phumaphi M. DIBOTELO, J.: 1. On the 19 February 2002, the Applicants filed an urgent application on notice of motion seeking at paragraphs 2 and 3 thereof an order declaring, inter alia, that: “2 (a) The termination by the Government with effect from 31 January 2002 of the following basic and essential services to the Applicants in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) (namely) – i. the provision of drinking water on a weekly basis; ii. the maintenance of the supply of borehole water; iii. the provision of rations to registered destitutes; iv. the provision of rations for registered orphans; v. the provision of transport for the Applicants’ children to and from school; vi. the provision of healthcare to the Applicants through mobile clinics and ambulance services is unlawful and unconstitutional; 2. the Government is obliged to: (i) restore to the Applicants the basic and essential services that it terminated with effect from 31 January 2002; and (ii) continue to provide to the Applicants the basic and essential services that it had been providing to them immediately prior to the termination of the provision of these services; (c) those Applicants, whom the Government forcibly removed from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) after the termination of the provision to them of the basic and essential services referred to above, have been unlawfully despoiled of their possession of the land which they lawfully occupied in their settlements in the CKGR, and should immediately be restored to their possession of that land.
    [Show full text]
  • African Newspapers Currently Received by American Libraries Compiled by Mette Shayne Revised Summer 1999
    African Newspapers Currently Received by American Libraries Compiled by Mette Shayne Revised Summer 1999 INTRODUCTION This union list updates African Newspapers Currently Received by American Libraries compiled by Daniel A. Britz, Working Paper no. 8 African Studies Center, Boston, 1979. The holdings of 19 collections and the Foreign Newspapers Microfilm Project were surveyed during the summer of 1999. Material collected currently by Library of Congress, Nairobi (marked DLC#) is separated from the material which Nairobi sends to Library of Congress in Washington. The decision was made to exclude North African papers. These are included in Middle Eastern lists and in many of the reporting libraries entirely separate division handles them. Criteria for inclusion of titles on this list were basically in accord with the UNESCO definition of general interest newspapers. However, a number of titles were included that do not clearly fit into this definition such as religious newspapers from Southern Africa, and labor union and political party papers. Daily and less frequently published newspapers have been included. Frequency is noted when known. Sunday editions are listed separately only if the name of the Sunday edition is completely different from the weekday edition or if libraries take only the Sunday or only the weekday edition. Microfilm titles are included when known. Some titles may be included by one library, which in other libraries are listed as serials and, therefore, not recorded. In addition to enabling researchers to locate African newspapers, this list can be used to rationalize African newspaper subscriptions of American libraries. It is hoped that this list will both help in the identification of gaps and allow for some economy where there is substantial duplication.
    [Show full text]
  • Land Tenure Reforms and Social Transformation in Botswana: Implications for Urbanization
    Land Tenure Reforms and Social Transformation in Botswana: Implications for Urbanization. Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Ijagbemi, Bayo, 1963- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 06/10/2021 17:13:55 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/196133 LAND TENURE REFORMS AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN BOTSWANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR URBANIZATION by Bayo Ijagbemi ____________________ Copyright © Bayo Ijagbemi 2006 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2006 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Bayo Ijagbemi entitled “Land Reforms and Social Transformation in Botswana: Implications for Urbanization” and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 10 November 2006 Dr Thomas Park _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 10 November 2006 Dr Stephen Lansing _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 10 November 2006 Dr David Killick _______________________________________________________________________ Date: 10 November 2006 Dr Mamadou Baro Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Review Report of the Republic of Botswana
    Country Review Report of the Republic of Botswana Review by Sri Lanka and Guinea of the implementation by Botswana of articles 5-14 and 51-59 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption for the review cycle 2016- 2021 Page 1 of 257 I. Introduction 1. The Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption was established pursuant to article 63 of the Convention to, inter alia, promote and review the implementation of the Convention. 2. In accordance with article 63, paragraph 7, of the Convention, the Conference established at its third session, held in Doha from 9 to 13 November 2009, the Mechanism for the Review of Implementation of the Convention. The Mechanism was established also pursuant to article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention, which states that States parties shall carry out their obligations under the Convention in a manner consistent with the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other States. 3. The Review Mechanism is an intergovernmental process whose overall goal is to assist States parties in implementing the Convention. 4. The review process is based on the terms of reference of the Review Mechanism. II. Process 5. The following review of the implementation by Botswana of the Convention is based on the completed response to the comprehensive self-assessment checklist received from Botswana and any supplementary information provided in accordance with paragraph 27 of the terms of reference of the Review Mechanism and the outcome of the constructive dialogue between the governmental experts from Sri Lanka, Guinea and Botswana, by means of telephone conferences and e-mail exchanges or any further means of direct dialogue in accordance with the terms of reference and involving Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • African Media Development Initiative: Botswana Context © BBC World Service Trust Figure 10: Total Number of Newspapers
    Botswana Country Report Context 7. Newspapers 7.1 Key changes and developments in the newspaper marketplace in the past five years For almost 15 years after independence in 1966, the state-owned print media in Botswana operated virtually without challenge or competition. The only brief competition was posed by local newspapers Linchwe (based in Mochudi), Mmegi Wa Dikgang (in Serowe) and Puisanyo, all of which had folded by 1973. Even then, “all three exhibited loyalty and sympathy towards the government of the day as well as the absence of crystal clear, stable and easily discernible editorial policies” (Rantao, 1996, p. 8). Then in the 1980s and 1990s, five weeklies – Mmegi, The Botswana Guardian, The Botswana Gazette, Midweek Sun and The Voice – appeared to compete with the state-owned Daily News, which the government prints and distributes free of charge to the nation. In the past five years, there has been a proliferation of new newspapers. However, there are still only two daily newspapers, the privately-owned Mmegi and the government-owned Daily News, in the country. The rest are all weeklies. This means that the Botswana print media is dominated by weekly newspapers of variable quality and focus. The Daily News, which has the widest circulation, continues to be the country’s most important medium of information and communication, followed by radio. It is the only regular link connecting remote rural areas to the rest of the country free of charge. There have been a limited number of largely unsuccessful attempts to start magazines. A few general interest magazines were started in the past five years, including Dumela (Hello) and Flair, but all folded after a year or two.
    [Show full text]
  • Botswana’S Government, Stated at a July 2012 Sitting of Parliament, “A Freedom-Of-Information Law Should Be More About What Should Be Kept Secret Than Revealed.”
    Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is responsible for media in Botswana’s government, stated at a July 2012 sitting of parliament, “A freedom-of-information law should be more about what should be kept secret than revealed.” BOTSWANA 18 MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2012 INTRODUCTION OVERALL SCORE: 2.02 BOTSWANA Botswana has received accolades throughout the country’s history for its democratic credentials and has been dubbed the shining example of democracy in Africa. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has had an overwhelming majority since the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. However, Bas more African countries attained independence, Botswana’s democracy proved to be less progressive. Academics have described Botswana as a “minimalist democracy” and not a participatory democracy because, apart from holding elections every five years, the country has failed to enact laws that empower the citizenry to have a more active and meaningful role in the running of their country. An example of this deficiency is the absence of freedom-of-information legislation in the country. Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is responsible for media in Botswana’s government, stated at a July 2012 sitting of parliament, “A freedom-of-information law should be more about what should be kept secret than revealed.” This position, indicative of secrecy in government, has led people to lose confidence in the government’s decisions. In addition, as reported by The Botswana Gazette in April 2011, there appears to have been a rise in corruption of late, with a number of ministers having faced corruption charges in 2011 and 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • Botswana Has Enjoyed 42 Years of Multiparty Democracy Since Gaining Independence from Britain In
    Panelists expressed fears of monopolistic trends in the market, as private media companies’ attempts to diversify and expand market share have been restricted to either buying smaller outlets or creating partnerships with foreign media. B OTSWANA 12 MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX 2008 INTRODUCTION OVERALL SCORE: 2.34 B TSWANA Botswana has enjoyed 42 years of multiparty democracy since gaining independence from Britain in 1966. The country has since been governed by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and has witnessed O the smooth transition of power to four different presidents. Despite the stability, opposition parties and Bpolitical commentators continue to call for electoral reform away from winner-takes-all to a proportional representation system. Calls have also been made for direct presidential elections. The BDP has resisted change, adopting an “if it isn’t broken, why fix it?” position. Economically, Botswana has continued to be one of the strongest performers on the African continent, with a growth rate of around 6 percent. The country appears to have been relatively insulated from the global slowdown, but analysts suggest this may not last. The strong economy is good for media, but with a population of fewer than two million people growth potential is limited. Panelists expressed fears of monopolistic trends in the market, as private media companies’ attempts to diversify and expand market share have been restricted to either buying smaller outlets or creating partnerships with foreign media. Panelists expressed disappointment that a government policy to promote competition and diversity has yet to be introduced. There are also concerns that private media sustainability is undermined by unfair competition from state-controlled media.
    [Show full text]
  • BOFEPUSU Undecided
    Botswana Guardian BotswanaMay 15, 2020 Guardian www.botswanaguardian.co.bw www.botswanaguardian.co.bwwww.botswanaguardian.co.bw1 May 15, 2020 www.botswanaguardian.co.bw 1 Est. 1982 Est. 1982 Fearless and Responsible Fearless and Responsible ISSUEISSUE 3: 3: Friday Friday 15 15 May May 2020 2020 Alcohol industry proposes ways to open BOFEPUSU business undecided Dikarabo Ramadubu BG reporter he Botswana Alcohol Industry Association T(BAIA) has made pro- posals to government on how best their businesses Majaga could operate during the difficult time of COVID-19 laws. Alcohol traders are among The fall of Majaga those hard hit, they were the first to be ordered to close BDP exploring a 5-year suspension or SEE PAGE 3 expelling Majaga from the party The MP is currently suspended from the party for 60 days as he faces a defilement case Majaga likely to ditch ruling party to become Independent MP SEE PAGE 4 STORY ON PAGE 4&5 BotswanaBotswana Guardian Guardian 22 BGBGMARKETS MARKETS www.botswanaguardian.co.bw www.botswanaguardian.co.bw MayMay 15, 15, 2020 2020 Lucara lengthens credit line with Canadian bank Zim downCape Town pandemic BGAnglo reporter director, Nova Scotia for a year to May 5, “As part of the extension, andZimbabwe is The coronavirus headed for Ramatlapeng 2021.EFT The Bank continues of Nova Scotia until Lucara obtains greatera clar health- outbreak and economic in South Lucara Diamond Corporation, has first ranking security by way ity on its cash flow projectionscatastrophe Africa has from hit hard the- theretires BSE listed miner has extend- of a charge over the Company’s in the short-term, Lucaracoronavirus has est in the pandemic Western ed its $50 million (about P500 Karoweto assetsbe and investor’sa guarantee agreed to limit capital expendi- because Cape,its debt home arrears to mean the million) revolving term working by the Company’s subsidiaries, tures related to the underground city of Cape Town.
    [Show full text]