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The Patriot on Sunday

The Patriot on Sunday

A Sunday broadsheet newspaper that focuses on business and politics. It started publishing on Sunday

The Patriot on Sunday

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The Patriot on Sunday
MIKE MOTHIBI AT HIS FINAL RESTING PLACEMultitudes of people attended Veteran journalist Mike Mothibi's funeral in Kanye this morning, with speakers proclaiming the good hard working man he was.He leaves behind three children, one boy and two girls and six siblings - four brothers and two sisters. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Patriot on Sunday

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Who will be on the Court of Appeal bench to hear & determine IEC appeal against UDC? *ADAM PHETLHE It is generally agreed that the case between Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is that of exceptional public importance. As a consequence, the case has so far generated a lot of public interest in terms of looking at all its optics. I predict exceptional public interest will continue way beyond the conclusion of the case. So who amongst the present Justices of Appeal will make the cut? It is difficult to say with a measure of certainty who will make the cut but to predict. Depending on the number of Justices required for this expedited appeal, I predict the following to make the cut. Justices Tebogo Tau, Isaac Lesetedi, Mercy Garekwe, Lackvinder Singh & Leatile Dambe. Former South Africa Constititional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde could also make the cut. All the above local Justices have sat on the bench in high profile cases notably last year's DIS appeal with respect to the search warrant for State House 4, the 'contested' official residence of former President Khama. In this case where there were 5 Justices, Justices Tau, Lesetedi & Singh ruled against the DIS while Justices Garekwe & Dambe dissented. It is my belief that Justices decide matters based on what evidence/facts are before them. That some ruled this or the other way in previous cases is, for lack of a better word, inconsequential. The Chief Justice has sat on some appeal cases I have had sight of. I think he will be disqualified in this one because he is party to an application on another leg of the UDC/IEC case. It will be interesting to see if Justice Tau will make the cut owing to a comment she made when delivering judgement on Wednesday with respect to IEC's request to have its appeal expedited. That comment (and I am paraphrasing) had to do with the intrusive nature UDC’s observers would cause if allowed to observe & monitor voter registration exercise. I believe this comment has already rendered her conflicted to sit in the upcoming appeal proceedings. Time will tell as to who will be on the bench when the appeal proceedings begin on Monday 11 December 2023. Or, will it be new faces? ... See MoreSee Less

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#Available IN STORES #grabyourcopy #frontpagethisweek Main Headline: KHAMA OR BOKO?♦️ BPF prefers Khama as UDC chief campaigner FOR A DETAILED REPORT GRAB A COPY OF THE PATRIOT ON SUNDAY NEWSPAPER IN STORES OR FOR SUBSCRIPTION VISIT: www.thepatriot.co.bw ... See MoreSee Less

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5TH KUSI IDEAS FESTIVAL UNDERWAY AT ROYAL ARIA IN TLOKWENG.#ikanyerona#mindsetchange#kgasoyapopota ... See MoreSee Less

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Good bye MikeMesh Moeti bids his friend Mike Mothibi farewell. ... See MoreSee Less

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BNF REPORT PSP TO OMBUDSMAN

patriot by patriot
October 16, 2023
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The Ombudsman 

Office of Ombudsman 

Private Bag BR 374

Gaborone 

Botswana  

RE: PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF MINISTERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS – FORMAL COMPLAINT OF MALADMINISTRATION , CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND POSSIBLE CORRUPT PRACTICES 

We further make reference to the Savingram from the Permanent Secretary to the President dated the 12th of October 2023 

This complaint is lodged on behalf of Botswana National Front (“The BNF”), a registered political  party in Botswana since 1965. In my capacity as a citizen Motswana, I am the second-complainant in this complaint to the Ombudsman. 

The BNF is a progressive political formation which has championed many motions in parliament to uplift the welfare of the people of Botswana. As a progressive, anti-corruption political party, the BNF has a direct and material interest in the public affairs and matters of national interests.  The BNF is directly affected by any maladministration and corrupt practices which has an impact in the public purse and public resources. As a Motswana, I am also directly and substantially affected by the maladministration that I complain of. Maladministration, abuse of public office and the public purse directly affects me. There are many ordinary farmers who have not been given the preferential treatment that is extended to the Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Senior Officials who attend Cabinet. 

The basis of our complaint is as follows; 

Recently the Government purchased bulls from abroad at a price we consider to be overly inflated and unjustified. The procurement of the bulls was not transparent and competitive. The secretive nature of the procurement processes adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the officials involved is not consistent with the principles of an open and transparent democratic society; 

In our considered view, public resources cannot be spent in such a secretive manner, without any clear procurement process. 

On the 12th October 2023, the Permanent Secretary To The President issued a Savingram which stated in part: 

“The Honourable Ministers and Assistant Ministers, as well as Senior  Officials who attend Cabinet are expected to bring along own liquid nitrogen tanks ( dikane) for purposes of storing bull semen which will be sold to them at the Artificial Insermination Centre”

A copy of the Savingram dated 12th October 2023 received by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism is annexed hereunder. 

This Savingram and it’s contents are problematic for the following reasons; 

Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Senior Government officials are given special treatment in the sale of bull semen. Why can’t Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Senior officials all join the line just like the rest of Batswana who may want to purchase the bull semen ? Does the fact that they hold senior public offices and sit in Cabinet entitle them to the special treatment ahead of the many ordinary  Batswana ? 

From the PSP Savigram, it is apparent that the Government has taken a decision that on the 16th October 2023, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and senior officials who attend Cabinet will be offered and or sold bull semen. We say so because the PSP stated in the Savingram, 

…*are expected* to bring along own liquid nitrogen tanks….

As the public, and indeed the BNF, we want to know where such a decision was taken that there will be a sale of bull  semen during the 16th October 2023 Cabinet Meeting in Ramatlabana ? 

In our understanding,  the PSP may not be a member in Cabinet, but sits in its meeting in ex officio capacity. The PSP has basically taken a decision that she may stand to benefit from. This is a clear conflict of interest, abuse of public office and possible corrupt practice. Further, if the decision was taken by Cabinet, a conflict of interest also arises. Cabinet cannot take a decision which they are the intended beneficiaries. 

Further, from the Savingram, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and senior officials who attend cabinet will travel to Ramatlabana at a public costs. They will use their official vehicles which are state funded. On the same trip, and whilst in the course and scope of their public office, they will engage in private interest ( the purchase of bull semen for private use) and same will be transported from Ramatlabana at the cost of the public purse. This is a classic example of abuse of public office and maladministration. 

In our view, Ministers, Assistant Ministers and senior Officials who attend Cabinet must never use public office and their positions as a stepping ladder or spring board for personal enrichment and accumulation. To be given an “opportunity” by the PSP to purchase bull semen while attending a Cabinet Meeting at Ramatlabana is grossly untidy, immoral and constitute maladministration and corrupt practice. 

In summary, the BNF believes in equality of all people, fairness and social justice. Just like any Motswana, if Cabinet members have an interest to buy bull semen, which is the property of the state, they must do so at their own private time and using their private resources. It cannot be done while attending a Cabinet meeting and on preferential basis. 

We hereby report the conduct of the Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Ministers , Assistant Ministers and Senior Government officials involved. We request your office to investigate this maladministration and provide an appropriate remedial action. 

Yours Faithfully.

Ketlhalefile Motshegwa 

Secretary General

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