DCEC goes after Dr. Dikoloti, Kenewendo
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is allegedly closing in on cabinet members, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti of Lands and Agriculture and Bogolo Joy Kenewendo of Minerals and Energy.
The corruption investigations come on the heels of the resignation of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Noah Salakae after he was slapped with corruption charges.
The corruption-busting agency is said to have, for some time, placed the duo under its radar. Sources revealed that Dr. Dikoloti has become a person of interest to the DCEC as the corruption agency investigates corruption at Central Medical Stores (CMS) under the Ministry of Health.
It has been widely reported that a lot of corruption occurred during the COVID-19 era and during the State of Health Emergency. Dr. Dikoloti was appointed Minister of Health and Wellness under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP administration in August 2020.
On March 31, 2020, former President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a State of Public Health Emergency under Section 17 of the Constitution to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The Auditor’s Report reflected mismanagement of public funds during this period.
The Minister’s involvement in fights over Concessions in the Okavango Delta is said to be one of the issues pursued by the DCEC.
According to sources, the interest centres around the NG32- the largest and most lucrative community-operated concession in the Okavango Delta, spanning roughly 260,000 acres at the south-eastern edge of the Delta.
Minister Dr. Dikoloti had early this year instructed that all transactions in NG32 be halted pending feedback from the government in respect of TLB 6/3/7-6/97 V- (8) Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust NG32- Lease.
Information is, however, still sketchy regarding the concession investigations against the minister.
Minerals Minister Kenewendo is said to be investigated in relation to the De Beers Group stake acquisition, where she is believed to have personally benefited. Sources point to a certain property in Phakalane which she is said to own.
Kenewendo was said to have interfered with the negotiations by allegedly altering the terms of reference. However, in terms of governance, the Minister cannot do this without the involvement of the Permanent Secretary.
Highly placed sources have, however, revealed that Kenewendo’s troubles started in April this year, during a mystery surrounding the appointment of Don Gaetsaloe as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Minerals and Energy.
Gaetsaloe's appointment was strange in that it happened at a time when the substantive Permanent Secretary, Pelaelo Khowe, was still firmly entrenched.
Kenewendo was allegedly not consulted and was not happy with the processes, which became a turning point between her and those at the Office of the President involved in the De Beers Group deal.
The decision underscored the cloak-and-dagger manoeuvres that have been happening behind the scenes, all aimed at determining who would ultimately control Botswana's mining sector, especially the diamond industry through the Minerals Development Company Botswana, a special purpose vehicle created by the Botswana Government to house its mining assets.
The stock of MDCB rose recently with ongoing attempts by the Botswana Government to purchase all of De Beers.
In response to Botswana Guardian enquiries, the DCEC, through its spokesperson Nlayidzi Gambule, reiterated that in accordance with the provisions of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act (CECA), the Directorate is unable to comment on or “disclose any information concerning the existence of specific investigations involving named individuals, nor does it disclose confidential information relating to complaints, investigations or investigative processes, as this would be in breach of confidentiality.”
However, the Directorate said it remains committed to transparency within the limits of the law and will provide information only if and when it is legally permissible and appropriate to do so.
For his part, Minister Dr. Dikoloti said, “Well, there is nothing much I could say besides reassuring you that I continue to serve this nation to my best capability. It has not been easy running a ministry while the nation is hit hard by FMD.
In my political journey, I have learnt to remain committed to serving rather than giving in to negative opinions. How about you take your time investigating the root of all this and get back to me when we are done with FMD. I am open for engagements anytime. I am an open book.”
Efforts to get a comment from Minister Kenewendo failed as she was said to be out of the country.
Botswana Guardian investigations have revealed that there is also a political blending in the grand scheme of things, as Dr. Dikoloti and Kenewendo are among some of the ministers who have been a target within the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Their reluctance to align with the contracting partners is said to be unsettling some members of the UDC. Despite having been described by some as hardworking ministers overseeing challenging ministries, pressure has been mounting for their removal.
Should they be charged, they might be forced to vacate their cabinet seats.