source: BOPA
10 November, 2008
TSHABONG – Shebeens are the trouble spots where many cases of rape and assault occur on a regular basis, a Botswana Police Service official has said.
Assistant Superintendent Keagetswe Lorato of Tshabong said this during a recent crime prevention seminar meant to educate the shebeen owners about crime prevention and to highlight the spiralling incidents of crime perpetrated at the shebeens.
Mr Lorato said some of the shebeen owners sell liquor during odd hours and this, he said, contributed immensely to an increase in the incidence of rape and assault.
He also said this made the work of the police difficult as shebeens “have established themselves as the major crime spots”.
He said depots, which sell traditional beers are not covered by the law because they are not licensed.
To this end, many shebeen owners take advantage to operate until the early hours of the morning.
It has been established that children patronise shebeens because they are [continue reading]
source: Standay Standard
by Kagiso Madibana
09.11.2008 9:41:07 P
Builders Merchants Botswana (BMB), the local building material shop, has merged with its former two rivals, PG Timber and Timber City, in a move that is most likely to see it listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) to support its ambitions of expanding across the southern African region.
The move is expected to help local contractors and retail customers to have an exquisite deal in the form of a one stop shop for all building conveniences.
The three companies, which have their capital funds supported by Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA), Venture Capital Fund – which is driven by Venture Partners Botswana— have joined hands to form a powerful merger that would be of incredible convenience to their customers.
The decision to form the merger was, therefore, taken through consultations by CEDA.
The merged company name is now PG Industries Botswana.
“The merger is already done and [continue reading]
source: Mmegi
The pula this week began to show signs of strengthening against the US dollar on the back of similar movements by the South African Rand, appreciating from as low as P8.5 per dollar in October to P7.69 on Wednesday.
Due to the link between Botswana’s economy to South Africa’s, when the rand weakens against the dollar, the pula also follows suit, although not by the same margins. The pula simultaneously gains against the rand.Over the past two weeks, the rand fell to as low as R12 to the dollar, but by Wednesday this week, it had managed to gain some ground, trading at R9.58 against the dollar.
Analysts believe it will continue on that path for some time as sentiment towards high-risk assets improves.Consequently, the pula has begun to gain against the dollar as the see-saw in the [continue reading]
source: allAfrica
BuaNews (Tshwane)
10 November 2008
Michael Appel
Johannesburg
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction leader and Prime Minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai told media early Monday morning he rejected SADC’s proposal of co-managing the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“A great opportunity has been missed by the Southern African Development Community [SADC] to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.
“We are shocked and saddened that the [Extra-Ordinary Heads of State and Government] SADC Summit has failed to deal with outstanding issues,” said Mr Tsvangirai, speaking after a marathon session of negotiations on Sunday.
The outstanding issues, Mr Tsvangirai said related to [continue reading]
source: BOPA
10 November, 2008
MOLEPOLOLE – In an effort to curb misuse of government fleet, the Central Transport Organisation (CTO) intends installing a Fleet Tracking Management System (FTMS) device in its vehicles.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Lewis Malikongwa told heads of departments in Molepolole recently that the device would also detect vehicles that over speed.
Mr Malikongwa’s mission was to brief officers on the latest developments pertaining to fleet management, replacement of boarded vehicles and expansion of fleet.
The Deputy PS said due to inadequate funding, it took them long to replace boarded vehicles, noting that CTO only received 40 per cent of the recurrent budget, which was far below in meeting the high demand.
Mr Malikongwa added that the absence of car manufacturers in the country was a setback as deliveries took long and [continue reading]
source: Mmegi
The British High Commission would like to inform the Public that Batswana who wish to travel to the UK as visitors for less than 6 months do not need visas.
One must however meet certain requirements in order to be allowed to enter, or pass through (transit) the United Kingdom. As a way of guidance, you should be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants without working or getting any help from public funds. You will also need to show proof of your accommodation in the UK and evidence that one intend to leave the UK at the end of the visit (for example, an onward or return ticket and a letter from your employer confirming your leave period).
If you are visiting family or friends you will need:
* A letter from your sponsor (the person you are visiting) explaining your [continue reading]
source: BOPA
10 November, 2008
GABORONE – SADC countries have been urged to integrate in order to benefit from the European Union (EU).
This was said by the Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr Jean Asselborn during a recent reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani.
Mr Asselborn said that it was easy for the EU to deal with an integrated region rather than doing so with individual countries.
He mentioned that Botswana has a good reputation in the EU because of its position on Zimbabwe.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that cooperation would help the EU to lend a helping hand in health, education and [continue reading]
source: IOL
Karyn Maughan
November 10 2008 at 09:09AM
Jacob Zuma’s two-year-long lack of legal funding from government will not delay his latest court wrangle with the State – despite protests from his lawyers.
The Supreme Court of Appeal scheduled the National Prosecuting Authority’s challenge to the effective quashing of Zuma’s graft prosecution for November 28, over three months earlier than the date suggested by the ANC president’s lawyers.
Appeal Court president Lex Mpati was seemingly unmoved by submissions made by Zuma’s attorney Michael Hulley, who claimed lawyers for the aspirant president were only able to argue the appeal in February in 2009.
According to Hulley, who has since declined to comment on his correspondence to Mpati, this was because Zuma’s lawyers had not received State funding for [continue reading]
source: Mmegi
BRIAN BENZA
Staff Writer
The hype of activity that has gripped the Botswana Stock Exchange in the past five months took a breather in the month of October as profit takers descended on the market to crystallise their gains.
From around June, buoyed by excellent company results and corporate developments, stock prices, mostly financial, have been rallying with counters such as FNBB, Barclays and Stanchart leading the pack.
However, characteristic with trends on bourses across the world towards the end of the year, the month of October was dominated by sellers leading to the mainstream Domestic Companies Index (DCI) losing 2.4 percent over the period and still down 9.3 percent on a year-to-date basis.
At the end of October, the market capitalisation of the board was [continue reading]
source: Standay Standard
by Sunday Standard Reporter
09.11.2008 9:37:56 P
FurnMart, the titanic furniture chain store’s profits roared over the last 12 months’ period as it tightened its credit management and its new flagship brands, Home Corp, started to settle in across the southern African region.
In the 12 months’ period, to the end August 2008, its revenue edged up 28 percent to P 489.7 million and operating income shot up 64 percent to P86.9 million while earning per share improved from 70.47 thebe to 104.76 thebe.
“It is very clear that they had a very good financial year. Sales went up while collection was bolstered by an improved credit management system,” head of Capital Asset Management, Leutwetse Tumelo, said Friday.
The furniture boutique said in a statement that part of the reason why it showed an improved performance was the fact that its Home Corp stores and Xtreme divisions have absorbed their [continue reading]
source: SouthAfrica.info
10 November 2008
An estimated 1.1 million South Africans have visited the voter registration stations countrywide on Saturday to register for the 2009 general elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says.
Despite drizzles, South Africans were flocked in large numbers to more than 19 000 voter registration stations across the country to register for next year’s general elections.
“On Saturday, an estimated 1.1 million people had visited the voter registration stations to either register, re-register if they had moved or changed residence or to inspect their details on the voter’s roll,” said IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam a statement issued on Sunday.
“Weather conditions continued to impact on the turnout. However, the IEC was confident that [continue reading]
source: BOPA
10 November, 2008
PARLIAMENT – The State of the Nation address by the President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama has given hope to many Batswana, MP for Kweneng South East Mr Mmoloki Raletobana has said.
Responding to the address on Thursday, Mr Raletobana said it was clear from the message that the President wants to see Botswana become a high-income economy.
“I hope the wish would be realised before his term of office ends,” Mr Raletobana said.
He also agreed that for the country to achieve development, discipline should be emphasised.
Mr Raletobana said he has been told many times when interacting with foreigners that they appreciate the ‘botho’ Batswana usually show.
“This will go a long way in attracting foreign investors and tourists in our country, and help in our development.” On Agriculture, Mr Raletobana said they [continue reading]
source: Mmegi
MQONDISI DUBE
Correspondent
SELEBI-PHIKWE: The recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), which has caused an acute shortage of beef and other meat products has sent prices soaring as demand outstrips supply.
The price of beef in most butcheries in Selebi-Phikwe rose sharply by more than 20 percent against a backdrop of reduced supply with some outlets running out of the commodity early this week.
Jean Van Riet of Sandy’s butchery said he was forced to hike the price of beef following the decision to ban the transportation of cloven-hooved animals and meat products.
All the abattoirs have suspended slaughtering beasts and this has led to a shortage of beef, pork, mutton and goat meat.
Some butcheries have resorted to selling poultry to keep afloat as the effects of the foot and mouth disease begin to bite.
Van Riet said he had no option but to raise price of beef from P24.95 to P32.00 per kg. Supplies of [continue reading]
source: Standay Standard
by Sunday Standard Reporter
09.11.2008 9:38:53 P
Engen, the third largest petroleum company in the country, shrugged off concerns over the turbulent crude oil markets that dominated international headlines this year by posting strong results in half year results to end of September.
According to the six-months financial results to the end of September turnover shot-up by 73 percent to P 720.9 million—just shy of its previous full year results of P921 million.
However, the company was faced with a raft of challenges over the years, such as sky rocketing pump prices and the unstable foreign exchange environment.
“The first half of the year has been quite difficult from price point of view, as was experienced in other markets. Pump price which was at P6.33 per liter for petrol rose to the peak of P 8.94 per liter before [continue reading]
source: Zimbabwe Independent
Saturday, 08 November 2008 19:35
ACCUSATIONS that the government is trying to sabotage today’s make-or-break Sadc summit on Zimbabwe in South Africa, cast a dark shadow over the deadlocked power-sharing deal, The Standard can report.
The MDC yesterday said several of its activists were arrested for allegedly “planning an insurgency”, while Botswana dismissed Zimbabwe’s allegation that it had offered the insurgents bases as “false, baseless, and completely unfounded”.
Botswana requested Zimbabwe to provide documented evidence on the allegations and invited the Sadc Organ Troika, together with Zimbabwe, to undertake a fact-finding mission to Botswana “at the earliest opportunity”.
The Troika accepted the invitation.
Botswana said it was invited to an extra-ordinary meeting of the Sadc Inter-State Defence and Security Committee of the Organ Troika in Maputo, Mozambique on Wednesday last week.
At the meeting, Zimbabwe alleged that Botswana was interfering in its internal affairs and [continue reading]
-
Mma Ramotswe Blog- Mma Ramotswe movie buttresses South African dominance
- MmaRamotswe finally airs
- `The No. 1 Ladies` Detective Agency` Puts Spotlight on Botswana
- Mmaramotswe Airs On M-Net Today
- McCall Smith heroine writes cookbook
- It's a Boy for Jill Scott!
- Agency` In best drama series at the Emmys
- Mma Ramotswe markets Botswana in the US
- No.1 Ladies` Detective Agency kicks off with 5.2m viewers
- Back to Botswana on BBC1 this Sunday
- selected Press Preleases
- STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY Lt. GEN. SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA
- H.E. the President, Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana on the Occasion of the Annual Diplomatic Reception
- H.E. the President, Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the Botswana Democratic Party Leadership Forum/Pitso, Gaborone
- H.H, Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, Mp, Vice President of the Republic of Botswana at a Fundraising Dinner for Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind
- The Minister of Defence Justice and Security Hon.D.N.Seretse at the Farewell Party of three Senior Staff
- The Director General Directorate of Intelligence and Security during the Security Association of Botswana Annual General Meeting, Oasis Motel
- Response to the Report in Mmegi of Friday 06 August on rumoured Replacement of the Attorney General
- Botswana retains eighth place position in Mining Survey
- President's Housing Appeal for the Needy
- Yusuf Dada, Group MD of Motor Centre Botswana on the Occasion of the Commissioning and Hand Over of the Boswelakoko Clinic by the A.S.Dada Foundation
Palapye meets Google Maps
- BBC Africa News
- Timbuktu's jihadist police chief guilty of war crimes
- Thirteen killed and parliament set ablaze in Kenya protests - medics
- Kenyan president faces tough choices after day of bloodshed
- Brave, inspiring, crazy - the joy of managing Fela Kuti
- Haiti vows to restore order with Kenya-led force's help
- New mpox strain in DR Congo 'most dangerous yet'
- Impeached South African judge becomes MP for Zuma's party
- What are Kenya's controversial tax proposals?
- How islanders are saving their Indian Ocean coral reef
- Why a 12-year-old took action against period poverty
-
-
Palapye.com News Blog 