Ntsima vs Mohwasa: Who is telling the truth?

A brewing rift between two Cabinet Ministers has exposed alleged interference in a major infrastructure tender, raising questions about transparency and political meddling in government procurement.The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, told Parliament this week that the European Union-sponsored Mathathane-Platjaan Border Post Road tender is at its final adjudication stage.His statement directly contradicts remarks by the Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa, who has reportedly called for the tender to be cancelled.According to insiders, Mohwasa has been pushing for the P300 million project to be insourced to government departments rather than awarding it to a private contractor.He is said to have informed Bobonong legislator Taolo Lucas that the government plans to hand the project to the Department of Road Transport and Safety, with support from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).Mohwasa confirmed this position in an interview with Botswana Guardian last week, describing the proposal as a “strategic decision based on fiscal realities and efficiency.”He argued that insourcing would 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,” Mohwasa said.But in Parliament on Tuesday this week, Member of Parliament for Bobirwa Taolo Lucas challenged the Ministers over their conflicting accounts, accusing them of confusing the nation and delaying the project.Lucas has requested, through a question in Parliament, that the trade minister give an update on the project.“You are contradicting each other. Mohwasa told me they want the funds to cover the whole region, while you say the procurement process is ongoing. Have you discussed this road project with Mohwasa, and what exactly is causing the delay?” Lucas asked.In response, Minister Ntsima dismissed suggestions of a clash, insisting that the project, managed under SPEDU, remains within formal procurement channels.“We are not disagreeing about the project. There is a procurement process underway, and the contractors have already bid. The process is at the final adjudication stage and will soon be concluded,” Ntsima said.Despite this assurance, government sources maintain that Mohwasa’s intervention has effectively stalled the process.The tender, floated in August 2024 and closed in September, attracted 13 citizen-owned bidders. Evaluation was completed in November last year, but adjudication has yet to be finalised more than a year later.

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Ntsima vs Mohwasa: Who is telling the truth?