* Pension fund management require a Minister with "clean hands” - Saleshando * Speech lacks commitment to Govt deliverables * Pensioners who can fend for themselves should not be paid P1 400
Leader of the Opposition (LOO) and President of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Dumelang Saleshando, launched a scathing attack on the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), accusing it of failing to fulfil its election promises.
He criticised the government’s inability to address key commitments and came close to calling for the resignation of Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe.
Responding to the Budget Speech, Saleshando indirectly questioned Gaolathe’s suitability for the role, stating: "While I am disappointed by the speech’s lack of commitment to outlining the government's intended deliverables, I assure the Minister of Finance that we will support him in this journey.
“However, support does not mean applauding at the end of his speech when it remains silent on critical issues. Our support will come in the form of holding him accountable for pledges made and presenting alternative policy proposals for his consideration."
Saleshando referenced a document authored by the UDC on how it plans to fund its programmes, which states: "UDC is extremely concerned with the continuous mismanagement of the Public Pension Fund by some asset managers. A UDC government will take an active role in managing public pensions."
He argued that for the UDC to take an active role in pension fund management, it would require a Minister with "clean hands." He warned that if the Minister’s integrity was compromised, it would pose a significant risk to the pensions—often the last financial hope for those no longer engaged in economic activity.
Challenging the ruling party’s stance, Saleshando remarked: "If the UDC remains concerned about the mismanagement of public pension funds, perhaps it should take a hard look in the mirror.
“You may choose to ignore the BCP’s publicly stated concerns on this matter, just as was the practice under the former regime—the choice is yours."
He then posed a rhetorical question: "Is this truly a new Botswana or merely a new BDP? Where will the dice fall? Only time will tell."
The outspoken Saleshando criticised the UDC for its passive stance on tackling crime, stating that in the lead-up to the 2024 General Election, “the BCP and the UDC spoke with one voice on corruption.”
He emphasised that together, “we pledged to act swiftly against corruption,” identifying the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) as a major enabler of unchecked corruption.
According to him, the DISS has become a rogue entity, unlawfully influencing government tenders—powers not granted to it by law. Court rulings, he noted, have exposed instances of abuse of office by those in control of the agency.
Saleshando argued that the UDC government has yet to take decisive action to assure Batswana that the era of shielding corruption is over. He reaffirmed that the BCP will move forward with its proposed motion for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to uncover corruption, hold perpetrators accountable, and recover stolen funds.
“There is no reason why the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and the long-promised forensic audit cannot proceed concurrently,” he asserted. He added that since it is impractical to subject the entire government and state-owned enterprises to a forensic audit, a commission of inquiry is essential to expose wrongdoing, which forensic auditors can then investigate in detail.
Saleshando also took aim at President Duma Boko, criticising his lack of urgency in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). He warned that GBV threatens to define Botswana as a nation
plagued by violence, intolerance, and disregard for the lives of women and children.
He argued that the President’s denial of GBV’s prevalence may have influenced the rejection of a motion aimed at easing the hardships faced by victims, calling it an unfortunate setback.
“To tackle this crisis, we must first acknowledge its severity. Botswana is grappling with a GBV epidemic, and both sides of the House must come together to develop a clear plan. Too many lives are being lost,” he said.
Saleshando proposed convening a National Pitso on GBV as a matter of urgency to adopt a well-funded, short- and long-term strategy to eradicate this scourge—one that he insists does not reflect the values of Botswana’s forefathers.
Turning to Botswana’s broader transformation, Saleshando emphasised that the BCP, as a Social Democratic Party, envisions a nation where democratic collective action drives economic freedom and equality.
He outlined key indicators that will measure whether Botswana is truly transitioning into a new Botswana, not just in rhetoric but in reality. These include, trends in unemployment, poverty, and inequality, Human capital development, Food security levels, Budget transparency, Transparency in the extractive industries, National debt position, Investment-to-GDP ratio, and Economic Diversification Index.
Saleshando stressed that these indicators will shape his future responses to annual budget speeches. If they remain unchanged from previous regimes, “there will be no justification for the phrase ‘New Botswana’ to be emphasised as it was in the 2025 speech.”
“I will embrace the idea of a new Botswana when political leaders take their pledges seriously—when we have a growing economy that creates high-paying jobs, reduces poverty and inequality, and boasts globally competitive education and health sectors."
As expected, Saleshando raised concerns over tertiary students’ allowance, old age pension and underfunding of local government.
He said Government has indicated that the Child Grant support of P300 will be subjected to a means test, meaning that those who can afford to bear the cost will not be assisted.
The same should apply to old age pension, those that can afford to fend for themselves should not be paid the P1 400.
Tertiary education students allowance must be increased. The government must acknowledge that an inadequate allowance P1,900 at present, undermines the investment that is made in learners because they are not able to attend classes.
He added that the government should further note that it is children from poor backgrounds who suffer the most as a result of an inadequate student allowance.
It also exposes learners to sexual exploitation. "We call for an increase in tertiary student allowances based on two criteria, cost of living and ability to pay."
Allowance should be higher in high-cost living areas such as Gaborone. Further, the government should stop treating un-equals as equals, as doing so is in fact discrimination against those from poor backgrounds.
"We are amazed that in this budget, bridging the gap between allowances for TVET institutions takes precedence over the adequacy of student allowances in all institutions and setting the minimum allowance payable at P2,500.
“The Minister proposes cuts to revenue support grants to local authorities and requiring them to raise more of their own revenues."
He said these proposals are at odds with reality. To begin with, local authorities are already under-funded. Further, they are structurally dependent on revenue support grants because our system of
resource mobilisation does not allow them a share of any of the strong tax-base such as VAT or personal income.
Areas endowed with natural resources are not able to tap into royalties paid to government by those exploiting the natural resources. Secondly, with the exception of Gaborone and a few jurisdictions, few have any local economies to speak of.
Saleshado added that driving local authorities into the pursuit of profit in the name of revenue generation puts public resources and service delivery at risk.
"We need to rethink funding models for local authorities in line with the promised policy of decentralisation. These realities suggest that there is little room for local authorities to generate revenue for themselves in the absence of reforms towards tax base sharing.
“The shift of more services to local government, for example, clinics, also suggests need to increase rather than reduce revenue support grants."
On casualisation of labour, Saleshando said the Minister proposes cuts to revenue support grants to local authorities and requiring them to raise more of their own revenues. These proposals are at odds with reality.
To begin with, local authorities are already under-funded. Further, they are structurally dependent on revenue support grants because the system of resource mobilisation does not allow them a share of any of the strong tax-base such as VAT or personal income.
Saleshando said from time immemorial, the BCP has condemned the tendency by previous ministers, particularly Ministers of Finance, to present budgets that do not propose targets.
"This allows for grand language and phrases to be deployed in speeches with no commitment to a target that the government can be held to account.
“This is a feature of the old Botswana that we need to discard urgently. It allows for mediocrity and low to no value for resources."
He criticised the government’s inability to address key commitments and came close to calling for the resignation of Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe.
Responding to the Budget Speech, Saleshando indirectly questioned Gaolathe’s suitability for the role, stating: "While I am disappointed by the speech’s lack of commitment to outlining the government's intended deliverables, I assure the Minister of Finance that we will support him in this journey.
“However, support does not mean applauding at the end of his speech when it remains silent on critical issues. Our support will come in the form of holding him accountable for pledges made and presenting alternative policy proposals for his consideration."
Saleshando referenced a document authored by the UDC on how it plans to fund its programmes, which states: "UDC is extremely concerned with the continuous mismanagement of the Public Pension Fund by some asset managers. A UDC government will take an active role in managing public pensions."
He argued that for the UDC to take an active role in pension fund management, it would require a Minister with "clean hands." He warned that if the Minister’s integrity was compromised, it would pose a significant risk to the pensions—often the last financial hope for those no longer engaged in economic activity.
Challenging the ruling party’s stance, Saleshando remarked: "If the UDC remains concerned about the mismanagement of public pension funds, perhaps it should take a hard look in the mirror.
“You may choose to ignore the BCP’s publicly stated concerns on this matter, just as was the practice under the former regime—the choice is yours."
He then posed a rhetorical question: "Is this truly a new Botswana or merely a new BDP? Where will the dice fall? Only time will tell."
The outspoken Saleshando criticised the UDC for its passive stance on tackling crime, stating that in the lead-up to the 2024 General Election, “the BCP and the UDC spoke with one voice on corruption.”
He emphasised that together, “we pledged to act swiftly against corruption,” identifying the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) as a major enabler of unchecked corruption.
According to him, the DISS has become a rogue entity, unlawfully influencing government tenders—powers not granted to it by law. Court rulings, he noted, have exposed instances of abuse of office by those in control of the agency.
Saleshando argued that the UDC government has yet to take decisive action to assure Batswana that the era of shielding corruption is over. He reaffirmed that the BCP will move forward with its proposed motion for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to uncover corruption, hold perpetrators accountable, and recover stolen funds.
“There is no reason why the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and the long-promised forensic audit cannot proceed concurrently,” he asserted. He added that since it is impractical to subject the entire government and state-owned enterprises to a forensic audit, a commission of inquiry is essential to expose wrongdoing, which forensic auditors can then investigate in detail.
Saleshando also took aim at President Duma Boko, criticising his lack of urgency in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). He warned that GBV threatens to define Botswana as a nation
plagued by violence, intolerance, and disregard for the lives of women and children.
He argued that the President’s denial of GBV’s prevalence may have influenced the rejection of a motion aimed at easing the hardships faced by victims, calling it an unfortunate setback.
“To tackle this crisis, we must first acknowledge its severity. Botswana is grappling with a GBV epidemic, and both sides of the House must come together to develop a clear plan. Too many lives are being lost,” he said.
Saleshando proposed convening a National Pitso on GBV as a matter of urgency to adopt a well-funded, short- and long-term strategy to eradicate this scourge—one that he insists does not reflect the values of Botswana’s forefathers.
Turning to Botswana’s broader transformation, Saleshando emphasised that the BCP, as a Social Democratic Party, envisions a nation where democratic collective action drives economic freedom and equality.
He outlined key indicators that will measure whether Botswana is truly transitioning into a new Botswana, not just in rhetoric but in reality. These include, trends in unemployment, poverty, and inequality, Human capital development, Food security levels, Budget transparency, Transparency in the extractive industries, National debt position, Investment-to-GDP ratio, and Economic Diversification Index.
Saleshando stressed that these indicators will shape his future responses to annual budget speeches. If they remain unchanged from previous regimes, “there will be no justification for the phrase ‘New Botswana’ to be emphasised as it was in the 2025 speech.”
“I will embrace the idea of a new Botswana when political leaders take their pledges seriously—when we have a growing economy that creates high-paying jobs, reduces poverty and inequality, and boasts globally competitive education and health sectors."
As expected, Saleshando raised concerns over tertiary students’ allowance, old age pension and underfunding of local government.
He said Government has indicated that the Child Grant support of P300 will be subjected to a means test, meaning that those who can afford to bear the cost will not be assisted.
The same should apply to old age pension, those that can afford to fend for themselves should not be paid the P1 400.
Tertiary education students allowance must be increased. The government must acknowledge that an inadequate allowance P1,900 at present, undermines the investment that is made in learners because they are not able to attend classes.
He added that the government should further note that it is children from poor backgrounds who suffer the most as a result of an inadequate student allowance.
It also exposes learners to sexual exploitation. "We call for an increase in tertiary student allowances based on two criteria, cost of living and ability to pay."
Allowance should be higher in high-cost living areas such as Gaborone. Further, the government should stop treating un-equals as equals, as doing so is in fact discrimination against those from poor backgrounds.
"We are amazed that in this budget, bridging the gap between allowances for TVET institutions takes precedence over the adequacy of student allowances in all institutions and setting the minimum allowance payable at P2,500.
“The Minister proposes cuts to revenue support grants to local authorities and requiring them to raise more of their own revenues."
He said these proposals are at odds with reality. To begin with, local authorities are already under-funded. Further, they are structurally dependent on revenue support grants because our system of
resource mobilisation does not allow them a share of any of the strong tax-base such as VAT or personal income.
Areas endowed with natural resources are not able to tap into royalties paid to government by those exploiting the natural resources. Secondly, with the exception of Gaborone and a few jurisdictions, few have any local economies to speak of.
Saleshado added that driving local authorities into the pursuit of profit in the name of revenue generation puts public resources and service delivery at risk.
"We need to rethink funding models for local authorities in line with the promised policy of decentralisation. These realities suggest that there is little room for local authorities to generate revenue for themselves in the absence of reforms towards tax base sharing.
“The shift of more services to local government, for example, clinics, also suggests need to increase rather than reduce revenue support grants."
On casualisation of labour, Saleshando said the Minister proposes cuts to revenue support grants to local authorities and requiring them to raise more of their own revenues. These proposals are at odds with reality.
To begin with, local authorities are already under-funded. Further, they are structurally dependent on revenue support grants because the system of resource mobilisation does not allow them a share of any of the strong tax-base such as VAT or personal income.
Saleshando said from time immemorial, the BCP has condemned the tendency by previous ministers, particularly Ministers of Finance, to present budgets that do not propose targets.
"This allows for grand language and phrases to be deployed in speeches with no commitment to a target that the government can be held to account.
“This is a feature of the old Botswana that we need to discard urgently. It allows for mediocrity and low to no value for resources."
