THE BO TSWANA GAZEttE WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 PAGE 1 MASISI SOMERSAULTS ON 'PUNISHING' PREMIUM EDITION FOREIGN WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 FREE! INVESTORS “Kitso ke maatla” PAGE 4 BPOPF’S P3.5 GERRIE NEL BILLION BONANZA TAKES AIM AT PAGE B1 BDF TURNS ITS BACK ON SA’S MAJOR GOV'T IN PENSIONS LAWSUIT BANKS PAGE 2 South African financial giants ABSA and Nedbank have found themselves entangled in the controversial case that has pitted BDP COUNCILLORS regional neighbours Botswana and South Africa against each other REJECT on a prosecutorial course that could strain their relations. TSOGWANE'S S TORY ON PAGE 11 APPEAL FOR DONATIONS PAGE 8 MOTSHEGWA OUSTING LOOMS AT BLLAHWU PAGE 3 PAGE 2 NEWS WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 THE BOTSWANA GAZEttE affected. The mandate of the BDF is to protect the government. If one feels otherwise about this in- BDF Turns Its Back On terpretation, one may ap- proach relevant authorities to seek redress.” One of the people who have been vocal about the Gov't In Pensions Lawsuit issue isformer BDF Head of Finance, Brigadier Charles Nkele, who was a ficer. However, Segokgo Conflicted because they have a vested interest in the success of their retired colleagues who are suing BPOPF trustee from 2013 reportedly informed the to 2019 during which time the government over their pensions, the top brass of the BDF has asked to stand aside in the matter as Attorney General and the COVID-19 compels several officers to quit ahead of time. Staff Writer TEFO PHEAGE reports Defence Council that it was he was also a member of hard for the army to be of the fund’s investment com- any assistance to the state mittee. Nkelerecently quit lak from the case because the issues that the the army ahead of his re- of retired members retired soldiers are suing tirement age and has since Fof the Botswana for are the same issues that joined forces with the liti- Defence Force (BDF) is the army has presented be- gants. “It is true that I quit breaking the solidarity of fore the government. in May 2020 and I am now those who should be stand- The point is that like the a part of the case,” he told ing as one in the matter, retired servicemen, Segok- The Gazette. “We are not The Botswana Gazette has go and other serving se- doing this because we are established. nior army officers stand in broke but rather because In the result, the army is more than implicit solidar- we feel we have been not lending its support to ity with their retired col- robbed of our hard earned the Defence Council and leagues because their vic- money. My other reason is the Attorney General who tory will benefit them upon to protect my pension from is eager to have the case the effects of COVID-19.” dismissed. The hearts of their retirement. While this active servicemen actually may not have been explic- Nkele holds that the lie with their retired col- itly stated, it is understood government has not cared leagues because they agree that the BDF has asked to to listen to anyone about that transferring them from be a spectator in the matter grievances over pensions. the BDF pension scheme because it is conflicted. “The error may have been to the Botswana Public Asked about the issue committed knowingly or Officers Pensions Fund of conflict, the Permanent unknowingly but it could (BPOPF) robbed and dis- Secretary in the Ministry have been rectified,” he advantaged them. of Defence, Justice, and said. Regarding the dilem- Led by General Gaolathe Security, Matshidiso Bo- ma of serving officers, he Galebotswe and several kole, was terse. “I do not noted: “I know the Com- brigadiers, colonels and have the answers,” she mander has been acting be- other retired senior of- said. Similarly, the BDF hind closed doors and ap- ficers, the more than 500 said it did not want to pealing to the government. former soldiers have cited comment on the matter. A They know his position. the BDF as the second re- representative of the At- But this is not easy when torney General, chief state spondent. The Attorney you are still on the govern- counsel Otlaadisa Kwape, General had expected as- ment payroll. I know sev- said he had not yet heard sistance and participation eral people who are head- of the BDF position yet of the BDF to get the case ing out. Some are running dismissed. added that it might be a in fear of markets crashing The bone of contention new development.“The as a result of COVID-19 is that initially, there were before the general elections income tax”. replacement ratio. BDF should differentiate and want to protect their distinct differences in the last year, President Mok- As it turns out, that re- This publication has it on between professional and computation denomina- gweetsi Masisi said the mains to be effected.A good authority that the con- personal interests,” said pensions. tor used for civil servants, BDF pension arrangement brigadier currently retires troversial litigation by re- Kwape. Among those heading which was 1/720, and the would be reviewed with a with a net replacement ra- tired servicemen has pitted “Your mandate as a pub- out is 60-year old Major one used for the BDF, view to securing a better tio of 50 percent while low- currently serving soldiers lic servant supersedes your General Innocent Phatsh- which was 1/600. During retirement package for sol- er ranks below the P500 against their employer be- personal interests. The wane who has confirmed the switch to BPOPF, the diers. “The aim is to have a 000 threshold do not have cause a similar fate awaits BDF is an establishment. this to The Botswana Ga- former soldiers say the Net Replacement Ratio of pensions and retire with them upon retirement. How you, as an establish- zette. According to him, transfer values ignored the 75% or better,” the Presi- a lumpsum. According to When the case began, there ment, interpret the Pen- several officers remaining difference in the denomi- dent said. He was referring BPOPF, the threshold of was a strategy meeting of sions Act is not how you with three more years be- nators, thus disadvantaging to “the projected pension P500 000 translates into a the state that was attended interpret it as an individual fore their retirement age them when they retired. at retirement expressed as salary of P5 000 per month. the Commander of the and the interpretation can- will quit to protect their Addressing the army at a percentage of final net A lower denominator there- BDF, Placid Segokgo, and not be based on how one pensions against potential Thebephatshwa Airbase salary after deductions and fore results in a lower net his Human Resources Of- thinks one is going to be effects of COVID-19. Send money abroad with just a tap International payments have never been easier with the Absa NovoFXApp. Now you can seamlessly buy forex and make cross border payments from your mobile phone. Download the Absa NovoFXApp today #StaySafe absa.co.bw Absa Bank Botswana Limited (registered number BW00001237900) is regulated by the Bank of Botswana. THE BOTSWANA GAZEttE WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 2020 NEWS PAGE 3 dismissal. gested to be adopted for the appointment In the notice of urgent application, it of Motshegwa as Secretary General. says that at the time of Motshegwa’s dis- Documents show that there were six Motshegwa Ousting missal, the Central Executive Committee members of the CEC present at the meet- (CEC) ought to have appointed, on an in- ing, including the union President Tha- terim basis, any member of the union to tayaone Kesebonye. It is said that it was the office of Secretary General until the Kesebonye who then suggested that the next electoral Congress in 2016. Court appointment of the Secretary General be Looms At BLLAHWU documents say this would have been in referred to a Vote since there was dis- line with Article 17.2.4 of the Constitu- agreement among the members. The vote tion. Further, it is said the CEC ought was hung, according to filed court papers. • CEC divided, some want Motshegwa out to have further requested Motshegwa to Kesebonye is said to elected to use his attend a CEC meeting for the inspection Casting Vote in favour of Motshegwa. It • Drags him to Court to nullify his contract and hand over of all books, documents is the Applicants’ position that this pro- and papers in his possession. It says as cedure is contrary to the constitution. • Contract allegedly ended on June 30 a non union member, Motshegwa was Further, they say it was not a procedure no longer eligible to hold, nor continue based on any power granted the CEC by • CEC Claims he is illegally employed to hold, the office of the Secretary Gen- the constitution. “The position of Secre- • Ruling expected today(Wednesday) eral. It emerges that none of the afore tary General is not one of recruitment, mentioned steps were taken, instead the nor can an individual be appointed to it CEC opted to offer Motshegwa a contract by the majority vote of the CEC. It is held KEABETSWE NEWEL Motheletsi is BLLAHWU 1st Vice of employment which allowed him to re- only by a union member duly elected at a President, Seloka is Treasurer General main in Office from the st1 of June 2015 Congress, Further, the applicants argued ecretary General of the Botswana while Bato is 2nd Vice President.