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29 Sep 2009 20:09
Edition 478 25 September - 2 October, 2009
There's nothing better to warm the cockles of the heart of presidents and politicians . . . a sea of outstretched hands all wanting to be shaken. This was the scene in Maun last Saturday when President Ian Khama arrived to lend his support to Botswana Democratic Party candidates for parliament and council.
KHAMA ON THE WARPATH
President Ian Khama is worried by rumours affecting his presidential tenure but he is not prepared to put up with it much longer. That is the essence of his address to a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rally in support of Maun East parliamentary candidate and former MP, Frank Ramsden, and council nominees in Maun at the weekend. Thousands of red-shirted supporters shouted encouragement as Khama got into his stride in attacking his detractors.
He admitted to being worried about accusations levelled against him by some people and some media houses who have branded me a dictator, saying he always stands his ground when advocating good service delivery. They go around tarnishing my name, saying I have hired former soldiers (for government positions),.he said. What surprises me is the fact that I am not the first president to bring in ex-soldiers. Former president Sir Ketumile Masire hired my vice president Mompati Merafhe. I was hired by former president Festus Mogae and I hired only two (soldiers) that I know of, but the way they put it makes one wonder because now it appears I am the pioneer of this ex-soldier web. I think journalists should take into consideration that these ex-soldiers are also Batswana and are also entitled to available government positions provided they qualify.
I have also come to r ealise that some of these journalists are campaign managers for some opposition candidates, so they feel they are better placed to advocate for their people by tarnishing my good name.
Then came the warning from the president they need to play their cards well because I am not going to look back or tolerate anything just to please people who think they are head and shoulders above the rest, he said.
Khama said some members of the public also decried the fact that he is always touring the country unnecessarily and claiming to hear people's grievances whereas in actual fact he allegedly helps campaign for BDP candidates.
They are also very wrong here because, as president, I also manage the affairs of the country. So how am I going to liaise with my people if I do not move around just because I am afraid of a certain, less observant concerned group?
I am going to intensify (his travels) and whoever feels I am not doing things right will have to re-consider because I am always out on a mission, (and) not to do favours for anyone.
I have also come to realise that some people are so tribalistic that they combine politics and tribalism, more especially those in the opposition. They are very good at fooling and misleading innocent people and turning them against what is right.
We have seen divisions in some countries which were a result of tribalism. We are not going to support it here because we want a united nation, he said.
Khama has called on potential voters to vote for the BDP on October 16.
He said members of the public should learn to prioritise and choose what is best for them, adding that if they voted for the opposition there will be a major drawback because the works of the opposition have never been seen. Khama said former MPs Ronald Ridge, Jacob Nkate and Frank Ramsden worked tirelessly for their respective constituencies and put a tremendous effort in convincing government to bring about developments as well as stressing the need for the urgent re-opening of Maun abattoir so as to address the needs of Ngamiland farmers who have been affected by the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease among cattle herds.
Khama also urged his members to refrain from building up factions and even before he became president, he had seen factions brewing and which resulted in members being offered positions on the party's central committee, adding that this is a very wrong practice which should be discouraged.
This is killing us and you need to do away with it. Those of you who have been defeated at primary elections should step in and help campaign for those who have won. Don't be rivals because, otherwise, there will always be rifts, leading to some of you standing as independent candidates, he said.
Death of Maun's chief magistrate
The judiciary and legal professions are in shock following the death of Maun chief magistrate Mmopa Baakile, 42, on Monday.
Confirming his death at a meeting held at Maun magistrate's court by regional magistrate Lorraine Makati Lesang, she said she had come to Maun last Saturday to find that Baakile was not well. She then returned to Francistown.
She said on her arrival there she tried to call Baakile but his telephone was not answered. She later received a call from him, telling her that she should not worry as it is just that he has a heart problem which occurs once in a while.
She said: He promised me that he was okay.
On Monday she received a call from Baakile's colleagues that they had gone to Baakile's house and found him unconscious. He had been taken to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital and on arrival he was confirmed dead.
Baakile was born on October 9, 1966, in Shoshong. He was first appointed a trainee magistrate in July 1993 and later attached as a principal magistrate in Gaborone before being confirmed as a magistrate in July 1994.
He was later promoted to a magistrate Grade 1 in September 1996 at Lobatse High Court and was in January 1997 transferred to Maun magistrate's court. While in Maun he was promoted to Senior Magistrate in February, 2001.
He was then promoted to Maun's principal magistrate in February 2004 and in the following year transferred to Palapye. He went for further studies in 2007 at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa where he studied for a year before returning to Palapye. He was then appointed as Acting Chief Magistrate and transferred to Maun in September 2008 as chief magistrate.
Elderly plot forger gets four years
Shakapira Judas Kangondo, of Etsha 6,has been sentenced to four years imprisonment, wholly suspended, and fined P2 000 for obtaining by false pretences and forgery by Maun magistrate Clifford Foroma.
The particulars of the offence as led in court are that that Kangondo, 65, together with Nicky Masheko and Mavura Mavura (39), Sedie, Maun, had between July 1 and 30, 2007 acted together with common purpose and with intent to defraud, forged a Tawana Land Board Agreement of Grant of Lease for a residential plot situated along the Thamalakane River in Maun.
In second count of obtaining by false pretences, the trio were said to have jointly and acting together with common purpose and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of P50 000 from Steve Carl Huebsch by falsely presenting by words and conduct that Kangondo had lawful authority and title to sell a residential plot situated along Thamalakane River.
It was been said Kangondo had no such authority and title over the said plot and the accused knew that the presentations were false. Kangondo admitted to have been given a cheque amounting to P35 000 on July 31 by Huebsch and another cheque of P15 000 was given to him on October 16 after having an agreement to sell the resident plot. He further admitted to have forged a Tawana Land Board lease and pretended to be the owner of the plot.
Kangondo also told the court that he had no any defence that he can present before court adding that he was committing such offence to permanently deprive the complainant.
Tawana Land Board secretary Nickson Mogapi asked for the court to revert the plot to the Land Board as he said it was not formally allocated to anyone.
When asked by Foroma about their intentions about the plot, Mogapi told him that they are going to allocate it to someone who qualified for it.
The complainant asked to be compensated his P50 000 adding that he used P200 000 for developments on the plot. He also said he wanted to be compensated for the money he used to buy materials.
When asked to comment, Kangondo denied the P200 000 which was said to have been used for buying materials. He however said only experts will know that the amount used was P200 000.
The prosecutor was Isaac Mamadi, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
In his plea of mitigation, Kangondo asked for a lenient sentence, saying that he is an elderly widowed man taking care of his children. He also begged for a lenient sentence saying that he was a person of ill health and asked for a non-custodial sentence. He also said he will refund the complainant. He was found guilty.
When passing sentence, Foroma said he considered the fact that the accused was a first offender, had pleaded guilty and did not waste the court's time in investigations. That showed remorse.
He also said the accused was elderly, but that did not mean old age is immunity to a custodial sentence. He also considered that the accused, by forgering the lease, had a criminal mind in order to sell the plot.
On the request made by the Tawana Land Board that the plot be returned to them so that it is allocated accordingly, he said as the land was not leased according to the Tawana Land Board, the land still belongs to the land board and they and are the only one who can decide on what to do with the land.
He further added that as the complainant said he wanted a refund from the accused for the amount of P250 000 including P200 000 for developments made on the plot, Foroma said as the accused agreed to compensate P50 000 and not P200 000 it is not yet clear on the issue of land as to what the land board may say as they are still reaching a decision.
Foroma said he balanced the competing factors, and said the accused at his age committed a serious offence and said that people who are old should not take their age as an excuse in committing an offence and a custodial sentence for a man of such age won't work.
Editorial
Editor: Norman Chandler
Editorial Comment: Bright Kholi
Politicians miss an opportunity
One would have thought that political candidates from across all parties who are standing for the general elections on October 16 would have taken advantage of an opportunity presented by this newspaper to further their image and tell the electorate about their ideas for government at parliamentary or council level.
This newspaper saw the need to produce an election supplement on October 9 in which all candidates from Maun East, Maun West, Ngami, Okavango and Chobe will be accorded free space to state who they are and why the respective electorates should vote for them.
To eliminate complaints of candidates saying they have been misquoted, we asked them in two advertisements published in recent weeks to themselves write what they want to appear a rare opportunity as newspapers are fiercely jealous of editorial independence.
The response is disappointing as only between 20-30 % of all the candidates have responded.
The deadline for entries was this week. Some candidates appeared to misunderstand the whole concept as they constantly talked about their academic background which they did not want the public to know about. We however made it clear that we are only interested in their manifestos and what they would do for their electorates if voted into office.
This has shown us that some politicians still view the media with suspicion and have not realised the best mechanisms for campaigning.
It also shows that some have no idea how to utilise opportunities for campaigning, and particularly those complaining of being denied space in the state media. This newspaper is classified as independent so one would have thought the complainers would have taken up the offer.
It was with great sadness that we have come to realise that these are the same people who did not take the opportunity in 2004 when Frank Ramsden and Ronald Ridge took up the opportunity and won election to parliament.
It may be the new entrants who do not see the need to use newspapers to further their aims.
In the five constituencies in our region, The Ngami Times has the largest readership of any newspaper circulating in the area - and this would surely have worked to the candidates' advantage
The Maun Shuffle
That amazing story we published last week about allegations of witchcraft involving the village headman of Motopi brings to mind the fact that these practices have not died out in Botswana or indeed in other parts of Africa.
Let me also remind readers that witchcraft in some form or other is also not unknown in Europe, for instance, and most certainly in the eastern European countries where gypsies and peasants still hold sway with tales of sorcery, wizards and witches.
The Motopi story is however horrifying in this modern day and age.
Mud in the office, leaves from the wreaths on the graves of dead people, deaths in the family and spells being cast all contribute to a scenario that more educated people find disturbing, to say the least.
These horrors are like something out of Stephen King novels or invoke memories of other spine-chilling books one may have read in one's formative years and some of which have been the subject of television stories.
Right here in Maun, for instance, this newspaper has over the years published stories about tokoloshes, zombies and similar. While one is inclined to laugh about it, there is somewhere deep in the recesses of our minds the thought that there could be a grain of truth in the practices.
Did you know ? The actual smallest sovereign entity in the world is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (S.M.O.M.). It is located in the city of Rome, Italy, has an area of two tennis courts, and has a population of 80, 20 less people than The Vatican state.. It is a sovereign entity under international law, just as the Vatican is.
The other week, this column published a story about how plans to curb the number of tourists visiting our northern national parks, and therefore our town, could see the economic ruin of the region.
In our defence of Maun and businesses here, Shuffle gave some interesting statistics which are undeniable by anyone interested in the development of Maun, in particular.
Of course there is always someone who, hand on heart, claims otherwise the problem is that to lose sight of what the future may hold if the government forces through its plans to cut down on self-drive tourists in favour of what is regarded as high value low volume, then Maun is in for a torrid time after 2010.
Already immigration officials are implementing at the borders new regulations which make it an offence for cross-border safari operators to carry passengers into this country if the operator does not hold a special licence.
The other day, a Namibian licenced professional guide, with four or five British tourists wanting to visit Botswana, was stopped at the Mamuno border post near Charles Hill and told to pay US$2 500 (about P20 000) for the privilege of entering Botswana. The problem though was that the guide was to hand over the tourists to a legitimate registered Botswana professional guide with his own Botswana-registered motor vehicle and with all the licences God ever made.
The immigration people wouldn't even allow the tourists passage across no-man's land between the two border posts!
Now that is what Shuffle regards as high-handed and totally inappropriate.
The tourists were understandably very angry at being turned back. The Namibian guide had no idea whatsoever that the new regulation was in place or in force as there had been no publicity given to the change in Namibia. In Botswana there has been the odd poster devoted to this decision - mostly at border gates.
Surely department of Tourism people could show a flair for public relations by placing advertisements in newspapers in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to mention but a few so that people do not make pointless journeys.
It's called Public Relations, you know.
Man discharged and acquitted for rape
By Keagisitswe Dioka
A 30 year old Shakawe man - facing a count of rape has walked from court a free man after being found not guilty by Maun magistrate Rebecca Motsamai.
Galebolelwe Thari was discharged and acquitted as the complainant was ruled to be not reliable and inconsistent to the court.
Motsamai said it was clear that the accused had carnal knowledge with the complainant on May 6, 2006.
She had said in court that the accused went to her at the victim's sister's place and asked for his cell phone. The accused then kissed her and put a knife in his pocket.
It was also revealed that the accused then went away and later came back to the complainant.
Motsamai also said the complainant told the court that the accused forced her to accompany him to his place, adding in her summing up that the complainant further stated that there were people following them and she did not ask for any assistance from them.
Motsamai stressed out that the complainant would have not allowed Thari to drive her away from her sister's home as he had earlier forcibly kissed her. She also said it had been said the complainant knew that the accused person was in possession of an Okapi knife and by that she could have asked for help when the accused forced her to accompany him.
The court heard the complainant told the court that she was raped by the Thari at his place and that at around 9pm her sister had telephoned her. That's when she went to neighbours and reported the alleged rape.
Thari had told the court he had carnal knowledge with the complainant as she was his girlfriend but she had told neighbours that she was raped by him. The accused however told the court that the complainant was afraid of telling her sister as she was going to be angry with her that she left the children alone.
Motsamai ruled that the complainant was not credible, adding that if indeed she was raped by the accused, she would have first reported the incident to her sister instead of neighbours.
Botswana again ranked as Economic Freedom' leader
Botswana has again been placed among the top performers in the 15th annual index of Economic Freedom, which was published this week by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal.
This year's index measured the level of economic freedom in 183 countries and territories, once more focusing on 10 specific categories: labor freedom, business freedom, trade freedom, fiscal freedom, government size, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights and freedom from corruption.
Scores in each of these categories are averaged to create an overall score for each country or territory on the index.
With an improved overall score of 70 (69.7) Botswana is now ranked 34th in the world and second in Africa after Mauritius, scoring well above the world average on eight of 10 areas measured.
The report further notes that Botswana's global competitiveness is founded on a sensible business regulatory environment, openness to foreign investment, and relatively flexible employment regulations.
Hong Kong retained the highest overall index rating (90.0), followed by Singapore (87.1), Australia (82.6), Ireland (82.2) and New Zealand (82.0).
In the report's country profile, Botswana is characterised as a politically stable multi-party democracy with a market-oriented economy that encourages private enterprise, which despite its significant natural resources has avoided the perils of corruption and violence that often accompany such endowments
The authors take the view that Botswana could still do more to improve its scores in trade freedom and freedom from corruption, further adding that:
That magnificent baby in his flying machine!
The Buck and Hunter, popular haunt of pilots and others, will surely never be the same on Friday nights when a new breed of baby pilots turn up at that establishment! It appears the first of the many new little uns who are taking to the skies has arrived in town meet Matthew Weyl flying a Cessna Caravan. Maun, the centre of aviation in Botswana, is famous for its many aviators from the oldest pilots to the youngest who are still wet behind the ears when it comes to flying. Many come here for on average two years to hone their skills over a difficult terrain before progressing to larger aircraft and eventually jets.
Witchcraft allegations divide residents
- Following the recent revelations at Motopi's village kgotla after the discovery of alleged witchcraft, it is evident that this usually quiet village is destined to be to be torn apart as some residents believe their chief, Dimbo Selabe while a majority accuse him of some evil acts.
His supporters say their chief was framed and that jealous people might be responsible for the situation because Selabe had earlier on admitted to some of the allegations.
A cleaner at the tribal administration offices, Leatametse Phisi, said although she does not know exactly who could be responsible for what now seems like a daily bread, she has been disturbed because she is always at the receiving end as her job entails that she cleans the premises day in and day out.
She said apart from the heaps of mud which were found inside Selabe's office, the chief's chair still has on it a reddish substance which is smeared over it, and it is the same office which she has to make sure is thoroughly clean everyday.
I must tell you it was such a frightening sight. I did not know what to do or who to confront until I finally collected my courage to phone my superiors in Makalamabedi for their insight on the issue.
They too were shocked as the story was just too complicated to believe. They wondered how Selabe could have spilled muti on the same chair which he shares with top government officials, including the Member of Parliament, whenever they visit.
I am just let down by the turn of events because Selabe is not just a village elder. He is also my closest relative and I still respect him.
I want to set the record straight because some villagers believe I am the one who pointed him out. That is not true. I do not think I was wrong to question things which I thought were not being done the proper way, she said.
Kgosi Gonkgang Mankgatau said in an interview with The Ngami Times that other officials in Serowe are to hold discussions to settle the matter.
A further public meeting at the local kgotla is expected to take place soon.
Okavango water under discussion
Botswana water engineering technicians are exchanging knowledge with experts from Mozambique.
One of the visiting experts is Casimiro Beurai from the Cabo Delgado province who is working for his country's regional water management administration to develop better supply of water to towns and villages.
His colleague, José João, is secretary of a farmer's union in neighbouring Niassa province, developing cooperatives for marketing vegetables grown by small farmers.
This week both have been touring the Okavango Delta's Panhandle to learn how the Okavango's communities are facing the future of the river.
Hosted by Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) Secretariat in Maun, they are part of a delegation of 10 Mozambicans travelling with Botswana country members of the Okavango's Basin Wide Forum to villages where they are seeing and hearing first-hand how local people who depend on the river for their livelihoods are participating in its planning and management.
Later this year, Batswana representatives will pay a return visit to the Rovuma River Basin in Mozambique where a similar trans-boundary river basin management programme is underway with Tanzania.
These exchange visits are supported by the German capacity building organisation InWent, whose training programmes in sustainable development have recently focused on trans-boundary river basins in southern Africa.
InWent trainers have been working with Mozambican for more than a year, exposing them to the latest ideas and techniques in water conservation and treatment.
Understanding water engineering techniques is only part of the solution to good planning for big river basins like the Okavango and the Rovuma, said OKACOM executive secretary Eben C Honguiça
Working with communities directly affected by changes in water quality and flow is really important for good governance and effective sharing of the river's benefits. That's why OKACOM has been involved in developing the Every River has its People Project and the Basin Wide Forum.
This exchange partnership lets our Mozambican colleagues see how we are putting the strong Botswana tradition of consultation and discussion to work for wise management of the river basin, he said
Mother daughter sentenced for hurting child
By Gaolebogwe Moipei and Molefhi Manyepedza
A Shakawe woman and her daughter have been sentenced to three years and two years imprisonment respectively for the unlawful wounding on the former's 13-year-old son.
The two however had their sentences suspended by Maun magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda on condition that they do not commit similar offences.
The court heard that February 26 the boy's mother, Kayama Phoraki, with her co-accused and daughter, Kebonyemang Phoraki, 20, tied the boy to a pole and burnt him with plastic and dry grass.
When the accused were asked about the reasons that made them to commit such an offence, Kamaya said she was disciplining her son after suspecting him of stealing P4. He was rescued by a passerby who then reported the matter to Shakawe police station.The prosecutor, Luanda Antonio, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the court that the victim sustained minor injuries on legs and knees during the incident. Both accused persons pleaded guilty.
The accused pleaded for a lenient sentence and Kayama said I am a breadwinner, taking care of my children who do not have a father and also taking care of my mother while Kebonyemang said she helped her mother in taking care of her brother and sisters and requested the court to consider her age when passing sentence, adding that she is a first offender.
When passing sentence Sibanda said he took into consideration the fact that the two were first offenders and normally first offenders are given chance to rehabilitate, and the way the offence was committed is also taken into consideration. The two had committed a serious offence and in an extreme manner which is unacceptable. He said the motive behind was to punish the boy, and which was done unlawfully. He also considered the mitigations and the relationship the two accused has with the boy, adding a custodial sentence would not solve the problem.
If the primary caregivers go to jail, how will those left behind live, who will take the responsibility, the court won't help and looking at facts that the young boy is still in his early teen ages he needs both guidance from the mother and the sister, the magistrate said.
Sibanda gave the two accused a chance to rehabilitate and that they remain a loving mother and a sister to the family.
When giving a word of advice to the accused and the community, Sibanda urged people to take care of their children and not to abuse them, and those who abuse them will be dealt with accordingly.
He added that burning someone over a stolen P4 is really unreasonable.
The boy is still with the SOS children's care organisation in Serowe and it is not finalised as to when he will be taken back home.
The prosecutor was Luanda Antonio, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions
Maun Prison escapees again face the court
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
Four Zimbabweans who escaped from Maun State Prison on August 30, have appeared before Maun magistrate, Mmoloki Sibanda for escaping from lawful custody and pleaded guilty to the offence as charged on September 22.
The four accused are George Themba Bhebe (30), Loyoit Kare Choto (28), Sipho Siziba (39), and Themba Dube also known as Tshepo Salang, (25) who are alleged to have jointly and acting together with common purpose and with intent escaped from Maun State Prison by cutting through the roof and two fences.
Bhebe, Choto and Siziba were allegedly charged for robbing businessman Muhammad Farhan's house at Botshabelo ward and stole cash, cell phones and a laptop. It has been revealed that they were armed with a pistol and other dangerous weapons and also used violence.
They had been remanded in custody on August 21 for this case.
Tshepo Salang is said to have on January 6, 2000, using the names of Trust Salang, been convicted of common assault by Maun Customary court and was flogged by five strokes, while in another case, using the manes of Tshepo Salang, on July 24, 2006, he was convicted of stealing from a person and sentenced to 7 months in prison.
The four accused admitted that they are guilty as charged and that they really intended to escape from prison and had no right to do so. Sibanda accordingly found them guilty as charged.
On September 5, the four accused were arrested by the police while taking a taxi in Maun and were remanded in custody.
In a plea of mitigation, Themba Bhebe asked for a lenient sentence saying that he is a married man with 2 children, a first offender and will be happy if he is given a wholly suspended imprisonment because he is still facing charges for other offences.
Kare Choto asked for leniency, also saying that he is a married man, a first offender, his wife is pregnant, and said that he will never repeat the same offence again.
Sipho Siziba also asked for a lenient sentence saying that he is sick. He accepted that what he did was wrong and told the court that what he needs is to be forgiven by God. He described himself as a breadwinner to his family.
Themba Dube, also known as Tshepo Salang, asked for a lenient sentence, saying that he still facing other offences, his young child is still at the house and as the father of the child he is supposed to be there.
He told the court this would be his first and last time committing such an offence and would only need at least to be given strokes than to be in prison.
The prosecutor in this case was Luanda Antonio, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The sentence was expected by the end of the week.
Students urged to concentrate on education not sex
By Molefi Manyepedza
The guest speaker at the Maun Secondary School prize giving, tourism specialist in the BiOkavango Project, Lefatshe Magole, has told students that they should concentrate on education first before assuming the roles of mothers and fathers.
He said they face challenges as this year he came across an article in The Ngami Times stating that Maun Secondary has a very high rate of dropouts due to pregnancy.
If you are a female learner at Maun SSS, you can not fulfill the role of a spouse whose role includes being pregnant and raising children. Similarly if you are a male student at Maun SSS, you are not a father and can not fulfill the roles of a father, he said.
Magole pleaded with more older people to stop viewing students as potential lovers and not to propose to schoolgirls as this is classed as abusing them.
Magole said it is not surprising that MSSS is one of the biggest secondary schools in Botswana, with an enrolment of 2 400, 159 teachers and 108 support staff members. He further said its total population is comparable to the population of villages such as Toteng, Seronga and Sepopa.
Magole said academic performance in MSSS has been average compared to other senior secondary schools in the country and said that the circumstances under which MSSS operates are different.
He encouraged students to take academic seriously and not leave sports behind - I am informed that in the 2009 BISA national athletics finals, Maun SSS won 17 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals, while 5 teams reached national finals in ball sports competition, he added.
Patients suffer at the hands of clinic nurses
News reporter Basadi Morokotso recently witnessed at first hand how some nurses ill treat patients and also speak to them in foul language.
There is something very wrong and unacceptable taking place in medical facilities in this area.
During a visit to a clinic I collided head on with a somewhat arrogant male nurse whose behaviour was not acceptable.
This was the first I had witnessed down the years when visiting the clinic. The staff is always more than willing to assist, and at times sacrifice their lunch hours to treat patients.
This nurse's attitude towards patients who had visited the clinic that day left tongues wagging because he was not only rude, and also did not show any remorse when confronted by angry patients.
Instead, he deliberately whiled away the time and at about 4pm sauntered out of his consulting room, both hands in his pockets, and said coming in 15 minutes. He never showed up.
One patient after the other went to find out what could be delaying him, and one woman patient (name known to The Ngami Times) said she overheard him belittling the status of area councillors, saying Maun residents have a tendency of voting in councillors who have never represented them well. I personally confronted the nurse (whose name is known to this newspaper) after I was asked by an elderly woman to call him so that he could explain why he could not offer assistance.
When I finally found him, he was busy in a dressing room making preparations for the next day.
He had the temerity to tell me he was too busy to come and that whoever felt he or she was being delayed in terms of medical treatment they were at liberty to seek help at Letsholathebe hospital.
I told him I could not pass on his response because it was unacceptable and rude.
When I returned to the patients - some of whom would not take no for an answer - they were so furious that they decided to confirm what I reported to them - only to be told the same thing.
The nurse gave me his name and said I could report him to the council secretary or the permanent secretary (of the Department of Health) and I will give them the same response because they also know what we are going through, he said.
The nurse said I was not even supposed to have assisted you in the first place because I am charged with assisting patients at the ARV section. It is true that I mentioned councillors, but I was not talking to anyone of you and that has nothing to do with this issue.
The following morning, I telephoned the council secretary's office and was referred to Lawrence Mazinyane, the CS who heads Maun Administration Authority. I told him the story in the presence of two senior nurses.
They promised to follow it up and Mazinyane apologised and said it was unfortunate what patients had to go through.
I am let down by what you people experienced. We do not and never will condone such behaviour.
If a nurse utters such words and mentions politics while in line of duty, then it is quite clear that he or she is not representing us. The Ministry of Local Government which offered him the job is made up mostly of politicians, the very people he undermines. It was very wrong for him to have behaved that way and highly regrettable.
We will follow up to get a clear picture of what transpired, he said.
The understaffing at clinics in Maun and also countrywide is well known.
It does not mean, however, that a nurse can abandon patients and choose to run his or her errands without explaining the reason to patients. While one cannot rule out the possibility of patients overreacting and being unwilling to listen to whatever is being said, nothing allows nurses to do as they wish or to say whatever they feel like.
Major changes coming for Botswana tourism
GABORONE It is understood that a draft Bill to be presented to the first session of the next parliament will provide for the establishment of a Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) to replace the Botswana Tourism Board.
The object of the Bill, published in the Government Gazette of September 11, is to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, the Botswana Tourism Board Act.
It is proposed that the BTO Bill provides for the establishment of a board of directors and be empowered to market and promote tourist attractions, and to encourage and facilitate travel by local and foreign tourists.
Botswana Tourism will also be expected to plan, develop and implement tourism marketing and promotion strategies aimed at creating and sustaining a positive image of Botswana as a tourist and investor destination, states the proposed Bill.
It will also plan, formulate and implement strategies for promoting sustainable tourism development in collaboration with the private sector in the tourism industry, local authorities, local communities and nongovernmental organisations.
It will also have the function of grading and classifying tourists' enterprise facilities.
According to the proposed Bill, any person who operates a tourist enterprise that is not graded in accordance with the new Act commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding P20 000, or an imprisonment term not exceeding five years, or both
It also states that a tourist enterprise may only operate for 12 months on the ungraded symbol, after which it shall attain at least one star symbol. A grading certificate, unless revoked, will expire after 24 months and failure to pay grading fees shall attract a fine of P10 000, or an imprisonment term not exceeding four years, or both.
Zebras off to play China in friendly
The senior national soccer team, the Zebras, fly to Beijing, China, on Sunday for a friendly game against the Chinese. They are in camp preparing for the international encounter on September 29 before participating in this year's COSAFA Cup in Zimbabwe.
Zebras' coach Stanley Tshosane has called on locally-based players for both the China game and the COSAFA Cup. The coach wanted to have foreign-based players but this has not been possible since the China game falls outside the FIFA calendar.
The game against China was said by Tshosane to be the only friendly match before they go to the Cup competition.
We have limited time for preparation for the Zimbabwe games because of our tight schedule, but we will try to utilise the little time we have to be well-equipped for the China match, he said. China is currently ranked 108th in the world, their lowest since 1976. Botswana is 137th.
After the China friendly, the Zebras will go straight to Zimbabwe to join 14 other Southern and East African countries for the Cup.
Easy draw for the Zebras in COSAFA games
The draw for the COSAFA Cup matches in Zimbabwe next month was conducted in Harare last week with Botswana getting rather a fair draw against Swaziland, Seychelles and Comoros in pool B of the group stages.
The top six ranked countries from the region - Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Namibia and Zambia - all received byes in the preliminary round in which eight countries were divided into two groups of four.
The annual competition, which has grown to become the flagship tournament of the region, will run from October 17 to November 1 in Harare and Bulawayo.
Thirteen of the 14 teams participating in the competition are from the COSAFA region but Madagascar withdrew and was replaced by Tanzania who will be making a guest appearance.
Botswana has brought up a strong squad of local based players which is expected to travel to Zimbabwe without foreign players.
This is due to the fact that the competition falls outside the FIFA calendar dates; therefore it will be difficult for foreign players to be released by their teams.
The eight unseeded countries will battle for two of the eight quarterfinal places after which the competition will take a knock-out format.
Of the other seeded countries Malawi will battle it out with Mozambique while Namibia squares up to Zambia.
Group A of the preliminaries comprises of Zimbabwe along with Tanzania, Mauritius and Lesotho
The draw: Group A: Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mauritius, Lesotho. Group B: Swaziland, Comoros, Seychelles, Botswana. Quarter-Final 1: Malawi v Mozambique; Quarter-Final 2: South Africa v Angola; Quarter-Final 3: Namibia v Zambia; Quarter-Final 4: Winner Group A v Winner Group B.
Heroes through to A to Z Independence semis
Nhabe regional league first division league new boys Maun Heroes booked their place in the semifinals of the A to Z Independence Cup tournament with a 3-1 win over Police outfit Fuji Rollers on Sunday.
Tlhalefo Raul Ndlovu's first effort opened the floodgates to the four-goal thrilling encounter. Other goals from Keabetswe and Jojo were enough for the newcomers to claim a place in the last four.
The Heroes will meet Nhabe league giants Maun Tigers in the first semifinal. Much was expected from this game, and Maun Heroes kept their calm as they went through and showed signs of what to expect in the new league season.
Heroes team manager Norman Sebele hailed his boys and he promised fireworks in the semifinals against favourites Maun Tigers - My boys played very well. I was expecting more from the team, but we missed most of our regular players. We had about five players from last season who were part of this team which went through to the semis and I believe we are on the right track.
Maun Terrors continued with their brilliance as they booked themselves a place in the finals by beating Delta Winds 3-1 on Wednesday night. A first half double strike by hardworking striker Pelontle Shakes Dimbo was enough to send Terrors through to the finals. Delta Winds scored a consolation goal through Menson Firo' Mompati.
In another games played over the weekend, Moeti United ended their campaign on a low note by losing 2-0 to Maun Terrors, Delta Winds fought hard to march past 2 nd division league side Gaegolelwe with an impressive 2-1 win.
Meanwhile, sponsors A to Z added to their donation 300 t-shirts worth P6 000.00 to all the teams that have participated in the tournament.
Terrors face Bucs in league opener
Nhabe region's National first division league representatives, Maun Terrors, will be in action over the weekend as they take on visiting Orapa Bucs in the opening game of the season on Saturday.
After finishing last season in the bottom half, Terrors are looking forward to their hopes and start off on a high note. Nevertheless, it will be difficult for Terrors as they will be without five of the regular players who contributed much to the success of the team last season.
Terrors will be without strikers Gaojenkabo Bahenyi and Kenny, while Sonny returned to his former club, Moeti United, Omponye Kebaetse who is most likely to join one of the Be Mobile Premier league teams and Collen Sebako is his studying in Selebi Phikwe.
Team captain Ronald Sebako admitted that they will miss the players - they were the most important players we had in the team but we have to put that behind us and work with what we have.
It's going to be difficult to find replacements but with the transfer window open, we are trying to beef up our squad, said Sebako.
Just before the transfer deadline, Terrors netted eight players including two schoolboys from Maun Senior Secondary School. The players are Moses Kobamelo and Boniface Moapelwa from CTO, Kagiso Moatshe (Makgabisanaga), Thato Manowe (Tlokweng Home Sweepers), Kesego KC Mmolainyane (North West United) and Oris Salepito (Sankoyo).
In the other games to be played over the weekend, Mahalapye Hotspurs play newly promoted Ferry Wanderers from Kasane, Tasc face up Palapye United, FC Satmos entertain Orapa Wanderers, Sua Flamingoes play BR Highlanders and Miscellaneous play Great North Tigers in Serowe.
Meanwhile Maun Tigers has parted ways with their coach Jabulani Ncube who has already joined Maun Terrors. Ncube was on the bench when Maun Terrors went through to the semifinals of the A to Z Independence Cup.
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