13 charged for disrespecting President

28 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: BOPA 25 February, 2010 Since April 2008 to date, 13 people have been charged for showing disrespect to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama by uttering words of insult. This was revealed by defence,justice and security minister, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse, responding to a question in Parliament from Ngami MP, Mr Taolo Habano. According [...]

Vacancies in government hit 3507

28 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: Mmegi MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE Staff Writer Despite President Ian Khama’s vow to fill vacancies in government departments when he took over in April 2008, the situation is getting worse, at least according to a presentation in parliament yesterday by Lesego Motsumi, Minister of Presidential affairs and public administration. Presenting her budget proposal for 2010/11 Motsumi [...]

Botswana: Challenges Faced by Country`s Indigenous Require

28 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: allAfrica UN News Service (New York) Government Action – UN Expert 25 February 2010 Botswana’s Government must step up efforts to tackle the challenges faced by many indigenous communities, such as land rights, according to a new report by a United Nations independent expert. “The current problems faced by indigenous peoples in the country [...]

VAT will push inflation out of range `til 2011-BoB

27 February, 2010 in Business, Education

source: Mmegi BRIAN BENZA Staff Writer Mainly driven by the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) effective from April, inflation will not be expected to fall back within the Bank of Botswana’s 3 to 6 percent objective range until the first quarter of next year. VAT will increase from 10 percent to 12 percent in [...]

South Africa: High Court Registers Zimbabwe Land Ruling

27 February, 2010 in South Africa, Zimbabwe

source: allAfrica Business Day (Johannesburg) 25 February 2010 Johannesburg — Civil Rights Group AfriForum says it’s registered a High Court case in Pretoria which confirms the SADEC Tribunal against decision against the land reform programme of Zimbabwe. The registration of the ruling in South Africa now opens the door for farmers who have been disadvantaged [...]

Officers to graduate in training course on terrorism

27 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: Mmegi EPHRAIM KEORENG Staff Writer As the war against narcotics, terrorism and other crimes intensifies, 36 officers under the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) will this weekend graduate in Otse. The training course conducted under the Law Enforcement Executive Development Program (LEED) covered investigations on terrorism, narcotics, immigration, firearms and other policing techniques. Ten [...]

SATA coordinates ICT network development

27 February, 2010 in Botswana, SADC

source: BOPA 25 February, 2010 GABORONE – SADC has established the Southern Africa Telecommunication Association (SATA) as a platform to spearhead and coordinate the orderly development of telecommunication and ICT networks as well as services in the region. Senior advisor at the International Telecoms Union (ITU) regional office for African telecommunications development bureau, Ms Chali [...]

Questions in Parliament

27 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: Mmegi Question by G. Saleshando MP Selebi Phikwe West: To ask the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration to state: MP Gilson Saleshando of Selebi Phikwe West) Answer: Whether research was carried out before the Public Service Management Directive No.2 of 2008 on Attraction and Retention Policy was implemented considering the mistakes that [...]

Budget speech fails to address workers plight legislator

27 February, 2010 in Botswana, Business

source: BOPA 25 February, 2010 GABORONE – Parliament should not approve the 2010/11 budget as long as it remained apathetic and unwilling to address the plight of public servants, Selibe Phikwe West MP, Mr Gilson Saleshando charged in Parliament last week. Why should we disadvantage our employees when they have been so committed to prudently [...]

Zimbawe: Ruling on `unlawful` land reform to be enforced in SA

27 February, 2010 in South Africa, Zimbabwe

source: SW Radio Africa By Alex Bell 25 February 2010 A landmark regional ruling declaring Robert Mugabe’s land ‘reform’ programme unlawful will now be enforced in South Africa, after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the ruling should be honoured. Judge Garth Rabie ruled in favour of the South African commercial farmers who have [...]

Eskom to hike power tariffs by 24 percent

26 February, 2010 in Botswana, Business

source: Mmegi In a development that could push power tariffs in Botswana upwards, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved an Eskom power tariff increase of 24,8 percent as from April 1, 2010, and subsequent increase of 25,8 percent and 25,9 percent for 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 respectively, chairperson Cecilia Khuzwayo announced on [...]

Wal-Mart coming to SA

26 February, 2010 in South Africa

source: Fin24 Feb 26 2010 06:15 Andile Makholwa Johannesburg – After a “stormy” first half, general goods retailer Massmart Holdings has expressed hopes for a turnaround, saying it expects a rise in second-half profit thanks to improving consumer spending and the effects of trading space rollout. The group has also confirmed that Wal-Mart will enter [...]

Media Practitioners Act committees in place

26 February, 2010 in Botswana

source: BOPA 25 February, 2010 Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has told Parliament that all committees needed for the implementation of the Media Practitioners Act were in place, save for the appointment of an appeals committee due to failure by the Law Society to recommend a legal practitioner to [...]

Zimbabwe: Zuma to plead with UK government to remove targeted sanctions

26 February, 2010 in Zimbabwe

source: SW Radio Africa By Tichaona Sibanda 25 February 2010 South African President Jacob Zuma will use his state visit to the UK next week to plead with the British government to remove targeted sanctions against Robert Mugabe and his allies. Speaking in an interview with the UK Financial Times in Pretoria, Zuma suggested he [...]

Phone operators urged to reduce trunk call cost

25 February, 2010 in Botswana, Telekoms & Providers

source: Mmegi BRIAN BENZA Staff Writer Southern Africa fixed and mobile phone operators should seek to reduce international call costs by cutting down or scrapping termination and roaming charges between countries in a bid to increase traffic flows and revenues. Speaking at the 10th SADC Telecommunications Operators Bilateral Meeting (STOBM) in Gaborone yesterday, newly appointed [...]