No end to BERA troubles
Internal squabbles at Botswana Regulatory Authority (BERA) continue to threaten the stability of the parastatal which has never found peace since its inception, Botswana Guardian has learnt.
BERA is responsible for providing an efficient energy regulatory framework for Electricity, Gas, Coal, Petroleum products, Solar and all forms of renewable energy.
It was established by the Botswana Energy Regulatory Act 2016 and started its operations on the 1st of September, 2017.
Fresh information suggests that following the resignation of the Board Chairperson Justice Moilwa recently after allegedly defying an instruction from Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi to facilitate for suspension of some officers to allow for investigations, this week the entire board was fired.
The Board members were fired after the Minister had replaced Moilwa with Tidimalo Poonyane as Board Chairperson.
A power struggle has been the order of the day at the authority, which according to insiders has derailed BERA from executing its mandate fully.
BERA has been characterised by poor governance structures and corrupt practices especially at senior management level. Sources have revealed that the sinking ship of the authority has resulted in the minister stamping his authority as the political head.
The minister has gone on to demote acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nnosang Mhutsiwa who is now back at her position of Human Resources Director.
She has been replaced with Dr Grace Goitsemodimo Kgakge-Tabengwa as caretaker CEO. Dr Kgakge-Tabengwa has been Deputy Director General - Policy and Strategy at National Strategy Office, Office of The President.
The minister’s attention was drawn between January and February 2023 when BERA undertook a disciplinary hearing of three of its senior management officers.
The officers charged are Sebilo Sekaba, Senior Human Resources Officer, Rita Chikanda, Senior Human Resource Officer and Onkutule Mafule, Senior Procurement Officer.
The Disciplinary Panel recommended that all charges, collectively or individually, are gross misconduct and in accordance with the Disciplinary Code warrant stern penalty. The panel resolved to recommend a penalty of summary dismissal.
They were charged with being wilful dishonesty against the employer, contrary to section 26 (4) (d) of the Employment Act of the Laws of Botswana and tampering with Authority documents or falsifying entries on any documents, book vouchers, ledgers, accounts, reports of the Authority or customers with the intention to mislead contrary to clause 7.2.6 of the BERA Disciplinary Policy.
The trio has since filed an appeal against the verdict. It is alleged that the minister has been misled in some quarters by some in the Exco to push a certain agenda.
The current management, according to insiders is not driving the interest of the nation and is continuously blocking progress that should have accrued to BERA and the nation by misinforming the ministry or working with some
officers at the ministry to misinform the minister.
Over the years BERA has been engulfed with change of board members in most cases through resignation due to a clash with management over bad governance.
When contacted, Poonyane referred all enquiries to Minister Moagi who had not responded to our questions at press time.