High noon for journalism
2022 was a good year for journalists as we were able to reach out to more sources, more places due to relaxation of COVID-19 protocols. The cherry on top was that I was able to attend one of my favourite Journalism events; African Investigative Journalism Conference. Below, I list some of the stories I worked on and state why I thought it was important to share them. The stories are in no particular order:
Courts yet to record COVID-19 corruption case
While allegations of corruption were rife throughout the period the country was battling COVID-19, statistics tell a different story. The majority of the reported COVID-19 corruption allegations have since fallen off the investigation radar while the only case that had been sent for prosecution has been closed. In June 2021, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime’s (DCEC) now-suspended Director-General, Tymon Katlholo revealed that the graft-buster had registered 69 COVID-19 corruption-related cases from April 2020 to May 2021. According to Katlholo, then the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was leading in COVID-19 corruption cases allegation as Councils had 15, followed by the Ministry of Health with three cases and the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration with two cases. According to the latest information from the Directorate, 77 cases were registered by September (2022) and up to date, no matter has reached the courts.
Having written and also read a dozen of corruption stories, it was important to bring forth what has been done to deal with the matters. It is for interested stakeholders including Batswana and authorities to act on this report.
Gov’t divides Ngwato royals
If there was any plan by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse to divide and rule Bangwato as alleged, it has borne fruit. Following the suspension and retirement of Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane from his official duties as Bagammangwato regent, his deputy, Kgosi Serogola Seretse is under fire from former president Ian Khama’s uncles who accuse him of neglecting his responsibility to Morafe and their Kgosi, Khama.
Addressing a press conference early this week at a disputed house, one of the royal uncles, Rasebolai Kgamane expressed frustration that they are not united with all their Dikgosi and Dikgosana in Gammangwato because of Kgosi Serogola and Autlwetse. “We warn Autlwetse to stop what he continues to do with our Dikgosana. He is dragging them into politics and he must know that we stand with them. There should be respect for law and order. Government has shown that it does not respect Bagammangwato Bogosi. In April, Autlwetse called Dikgosana to the Council Chambers where political issues are discussed to address Morafe issues. He went to announce to them that he was suspending Kgamane. The issue was supposed to have been discussed at the Kgotla. We have seen at Ngwaketse and Kgatleng where their Dikgosi were suspended at the Kgotla. Only our Kgosi gets suspended from Council Chambers. We were deeply hurt by this,” Rasebolai lamented.
Just recently, after Kgosi Serogola Seretse, through the armed forces, barred them from using the Kgotla, Khama made a call through Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo to fire him from his Kgotla and replace him with Seretse Peter Khama. Twice, Bagammangwato royal uncles and Morafe were forced to hold their meetings in a nearby residence.
The story is one of the many stories I covered on the Bogosi conflict caused by the rift between Khama and Masisi. Khama has vowed that such meetings will continue and government will continue wasting resources trying to stop the meetings. The developments are not to be ignored and it is for Batswana to know what is happening and react how they see it fit.
Boot camp from hell
Mothei Sejakgomo, who runs a prison-style boot camp has defended his methods of discipline which have sent shockwaves. Following a suicide incident by a 23-year-old at the Botswana Institute for Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Offenders (BIRRO), allegations of human rights abuse are flying. Sejakgomo and his team are accused of abuse administering corporal punishment extremely as well as verbal abuse amongst others. He is defending his methods and believes he is rescuing many young people from going to prison.
“There are serious human rights abuses being levelled on people who have gone for rehab at BIRRO boot camp such as verbal and physical abuse. Children are being stripped of their dignity. They can be shaved in front of others. It is said that this persists even though BIRRO is receiving donations as a society.
The president does not account for the money and he doesn’t have a committee,” a source close to the developments revealed.
Sejakgomo is not bothered that what he is doing could be illegal as they believe that they are saving many young men and women from going to prison. “Our main aim is to act as speed humps to the young ones speeding to prison. We deal with young delinquents either involved in crime, drugs, those who disrespect their parents and many others. I believe my method is working as most of them end up making their parents proud. One example of good work we did was with Matsetsenkane of Thamaga who are now well behaved,” he said.
On his method of rehabilitation, Sejakgomo said they have rules and force is often used. “This is no place for counselling, we put security first before psychology. We differ from others in that we take the child when the parent has allowed us,” he said.
On the above story, we were shocked at how rehabilitation could be this way. We are glad to learn that the Boot Camp has since been shut down and we hope Sejakgomo will engage relevant authorities to allow him to continue keeping children away from prison.