Minister Mohwasa full interview on EU funded SPEDU project influence

The Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa has refuted allegations of interference in the P300 million Mathathane–Platjan Border Post Road tender, which is financed by the European Union (EU).Minister Mohwasa who is accused of resisting the award of the tender to one of the shortlisted bidders, allegedly insisting instead that the project be insourced to the Department of Road Transport and Safety with support from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), fields questions from Botswana Guardian reporter Nicholas Mokwena.Nicholas Mokwena (BG) : There are allegations that you personally intervened to stop the adjudication of the EU-funded Mathathane Border Post Road tender. What is your response to these allegations?Minister Mohwasa: Let me begin by putting this matter into clear perspective. I have not interfered in any way with the adjudication of the Mathathane–Platjan Border Post Road tender. The issue was handled administratively at the level of the Office of the President, as part of a broader government effort to re-evaluate all major infrastructure projects in light of our current financial situation.My responsibility is to provide policy guidance, not to participate in operational decisions. It would be completely improper for me, or any political office-bearer, to direct or interfere with procurement processes that are governed by the Public Procurement Act. The system is designed to function independently and transparently, and I respect that. These allegations are, therefore, baseless and unfortunate. They distort a legitimate administrative process that is meant to ensure responsible use of public funds.Nicholas Mokwena: Why then did government propose to insource the project to the Department of Road Transport and Safety with assistance from the Botswana Defence Force, instead of proceeding with the original tender?Minister Mohwasa: That proposal is purely a strategic decision based on fiscal realities and efficiency, not a matter of political preference. The government currently faces budget constraints, and we must make sure that both public and donor funds are used as effectively as possible.The BDF, with the assistance of other government departments, has the necessary road construction equipment and technical capability. By using existing government resources, we are able to reduce costs significantly and extend infrastructure development to more communities within the same budget envelope. The aim is to ensure that EU funding covers more kilometres of road, benefitting more citizens rather than being concentrated on a single section. We also intend to use the funds to cover the Platjaan–Essack Farm junction, Sherwood Talana, Mothababeng Road, and Semolale/ Zimbabwe border. In addition, some farmers have come forward and offered to contribute gravel to the project if undertaken by the government, which will drastically reduce the actual costs.Nicholas Mokwena: Did you or your office issue any instruction, formally or informally, to SPEDU or its Accounting Officer to stop the adjudication process?Minister Mohwasa: No, I did not issue any such instruction, either formally or informally. SPEDU operates under its own governance structures and is bound by the Public Procurement Act. I have never directed any official to stop adjudication or alter a tender process. Government operates through formal, traceable processes written communication, recorded meetings, and structured decisions. There is no room for informal or personal directives in matters of public procurement. These rumours likely stem from misinterpretation of ongoing inter-ministerial consultations, but I can confidently state that no direct order was ever given by me to halt the tender.Nicholas Mokwena: Some reports claim that your office made informal interventions that were not documented. How do you respond to that?Minister Mohwasa: That claim is simply false. Every administrative action in government must be recorded and justified, and this matter is no exception. All decisions related to the Mathathane-Platjan project have gone through the proper institutional channels, with full documentation and collective input from relevant authorities.I have not issued any undocumented instructions or acted outside official process. Transparency and accountability are principles I have always upheld in public service. It would go against both law and ethics to do otherwise, and I have no interest in compromising that standard.Nicholas Mokwena: Some insiders suggest that you are acting on behalf of President Duma Boko or that the President instructed this course of action. Is that true?Minister Mohwasa: That is not true. The Office of the President operates through collective administrative processes, not individual instructions. The decision to re-evaluate this tender was made through structured consultations involving the relevant ministries and agencies, not through personal directives from the President or myself.Our government’s approach is based on teamwork and institutional governance. Both President Boko and the entire Cabinet are committed to ensuring that every pula of public money whether from government coffers or donor assistance is used transparently and for the greatest benefit of our people. This decision reflects that commitment, not personal intervention.Nicholas Mokwena: We’ve heard that the Office of the President’s legal advisor cautioned that stopping the tender would contravene the Public Procurement Act. Are you aware of that?Minister Mohwasa: I wish to categorically rebut the claims attributed to Boingotlo Toteng.The assertion that the Office of the President’s legal advisor cautioned against stopping the tender is factually incorrect. The Attorney General, as the government’s chief legal advisor, is the only authority empowered to provide such guidance on legal and procurement matters. The Attorney General has been fully consulted, and all actions taken with regard to this tender are compliant with the Public Procurement Act. It is entirely within the law for government to reassess, reprioritise, or adjust projects when circumstances such as funding limitations or national development priorities change.This decision is not an attempt to circumvent the law or to favour any party; it is a lawful administrative review aimed at maximising public and donor funds for the benefit of the greatest number of citizens. Any suggestion otherwise is misleading and politically motivated.Nicholas Mokwena: Doesn’t this delay risk losing EU funding or straining relations with the European Union?Minister Mohwasa: On the contrary, Botswana’s relationship with the European Union remains very strong and positive. The EU understands our commitment to responsible financial management and the need to ensure that funding achieves maximum impact. We are working closely with our EU partners to ensure that their support continues to contribute to regional development and improved infrastructure. The intention is not to reject or waste EU assistance but to optimise its use so that more communities benefit from it. We have been transparent with the EU from thebeginning, and they appreciate our desire to make their investment reach further.Nicholas Mokwena: Citizen-owned companies participated in this tender. Does government no longer have confidence in their capacity?Minister Mohwasa: That is a misconception. Government continues to have full confidence in the ability and professionalism of citizen owned contractors. This matter is not about capacity or trust; it’s about budget prioritisation and the best use of available resources. We remain committed to citizen economic empowerment and to ensuring that Batswana contractors play a central role in infrastructure development. Even as government explores cost-saving measures, local companies will continue to have significant opportunities in other ongoing and future projects.Nicholas Mokwena: Some critics claim that your position is influenced by personal or political interests. Is there any truth to that?Minister Mohwasa: Absolutely not. I have no personal, political, or business interest in any of the companies involved in this tender. I am not aware of who the bidders are, nor do I participate in evaluation processes. My focus is purely on policy direction, fiscal prudence, and ensuring transparency. Suggesting that this matter is driven by personal interest undermines the professionalism of public officers and distracts from the real issue which is the responsible use of scarce resources for the good of all Batswana.Nicholas Mokwena: SPEDU has publicly denied that there was any political interference. Do you stand by that statement?Minister Mohwasa: Yes, I do wholeheartedly. SPEDU’s processes are governed by law and internal governance procedures. Their statement affirms what I have said all along: there has been no political interference.

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Minister Mohwasa full interview on EU funded SPEDU project influence