Foreigners accused of selling illegal toxic pesticides
Many Batswana have been forced to abandon farming due to losses caused by foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans, who are selling hazardous chemicals.
Member of Parliament for Nkange, Motlhaleemang Moalosi, who also serves on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), prefaced his questions to the Accounting Officer by expressing concern over the impact of illegal chemical sales on local agriculture.
Moalosi pointed out that these substances are not only openly advertised on social media, but those selling them continue to operate without restriction. These individuals dominate the market with their low-priced products, posing a serious health risk to the nation, as many vegetable farmers rely on them.
One such chemical is Carbofuran, marketed under trade names like Furadan and Curater. It is one of the most toxic carbamate pesticides, extremely hazardous to birds, fish, and bees.
In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked its registration, effectively banning its use in agriculture. While Moalosi did not specifically name the chemicals being sold, it has been reported that Carbofuran is among them.
Despite being banned in Botswana due to its long residual effect, it is still widely used—sometimes even on unapproved crops.
Other dangerous chemicals include systemic pesticides such as Glyphosate, used to dry sorghum, which has also been banned. However, there appears to be little monitoring or enforcement to ensure these bans are upheld.
Additionally, some products legally used in Zimbabwe’s cotton industry, which contain high concentrations of active ingredients, have also made their way into Botswana's markets.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Goitsemang Morekisi told PAC that there is an increase in the use of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear ionising sources in various socio-economic developmental activities.
Morekisi said this calls for organised and coherent measures to regulate and control the applications of the material from a safety, security and non-proliferation perspective without impeding on the beneficial applications.
In this regard, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Weapons Management Authority (CBRNWMA) continued to monitor the potential use of Weapons of Mass Destruction in relation to emerging conflicts across the world.
National Risk Assessment (NRA) on proliferation financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction was conducted to assess the risks and vulnerabilities that arose from conflicts across the world and other related matters.
The NRA intends to enhance Botswana’s compliance on the requirements for FATF on money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing of weapons of mass destruction with an effort to remain out of the grey listing.
Another issue of great concern which for now government is unable to bring satisfactory answers is the licensing and management of private security services.
Morekisi said the Ministry managed to complete automation of Private Security Service Licencing in line with the Digitisation drive in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology and Smartbots.
This project is envisaged to ease doing business as it has automated processes of application, renewal of licences and ultimately ease monitoring of compliance by private security companies.
The private security service licensing is also anticipated to enhance the electronic archiving of related records.
In terms of service delivery, the project will assist in making services accessible to all Batswana as they will no longer be limited to receiving over the counter services which were previously only available in Gaborone.
In addition, this development is envisaged to cut costs to citizens, who will no longer be required to travel long distances to submit new applications as well as licence renewals.
He said a total of 126 private security companies were licensed during the period under review, bringing the total number of licensed security companies 5 193.
The Ministry aimed at professionalisation of the private security industry, to effectively complement the State Security apparatus. This will involve among others, the review of the Private Security Services Regulations of 2020.
She said in addition, the Ministry conducted compliance inspections to assess compliance to the Private Security Services Act No. 11 of 2015.
The main aim of these inspections is not only to ensure compliance but also to enhance professionalism in this important sector in ensuring a secure and safe nation.
There is continuous appeal to private security licensing companies to comply with the requirements of the legislation not only to avoid fines, but also to improve the quality of security services.
Morekisi said that a Bill for enactment of the Military Veterans Act was presented to National Assembly during the Parliamentary sitting of February 2023.
The Military Veterans Act will establish conditions that will administer military veterans. Due to the peculiarity of the military profession, a large number of military veterans are unable to adjust to civilian life resulting in poverty, infirmity, mental and psychological problems.
The Ministry was working towards resourcing the Office of the Military Veterans Affairs to cater for their welfare.