CAUGHT AT EXIT DOOR
Half a million Pula bonus dents BHC CEO’S legacy
Outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Housing Corporation, Reginald Motswaiso’s exit from the housing corporation is already marred by controversy following the P535 000 incentive bonus that he recently paid himself.
Motswaiso, whose contract has not been renewed after serving the corporation for almost two decades, is alleged to be under investigation by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) for abuse of office and maladministration.
Information gathered by this publication has indicated that Motswaiso pocketed a P535 000 incentive bonus against the company policy that prohibits one from getting more than twice his pay as bonus. The huge bonus, which rocked the housing corporation, comes against the backdrop of having recorded a P12 million reduction in profits in the past financial year.
According to a reliable source, Motswaiso is also accused of abusing some of his allowances as he recently acquired P180 000 household items such as washing machines despite being left with two months to go.
SPENDING
“Why is he spending so much when he is on the verge of leaving?” asked the source, who went further to give proof that the corporation was paying P34 954.82 almost three times a week instead of once a month so that by the time he leaves, his P1.2 million Land Cruiser VX’S residual value will be low. “He is pushing to pay less than P100 000 despite that the vehicle has only clocked 35 000km.”
BHC is also said to be paying for his security and gardener while he pockets the allowance for both. On other matters, the source said that the CEO is being investigated for the P27 million which was spent on renovations at State House.
“Quotations for the renovations were around P10 million but the corporation paid P27 million, which raised eyebrows, leading to investigations,” added the source. The source further revealed that there have been complaints by BHC staff members regarding the trips that the CEO and his selected group took under the pretence that they were benchmarking but never gave reports when they returned. “He told us that the trips were on alternative construction methods but only Sand Bay Technology was made public.”
Although he was cagey with information, BHC’S Head of Marketing and Communications, Gomolemo Zimona, confirmed that the CEO’S contract will be coming to an end in May 2021.
Zimona said that his position is bound by a fixed term contract in line with the Corporation’s HR policies. He, however, refused to be drawn into discussion of the bonus issue, saying, “Kindly note as a Corporation we are not at liberty to divulge any information relating to remuneration for any employee of the Corporation.”
Meanwhile, DIS spokesperson, Edward Robert, said that it is not in their practice as a Directorate to comment on allegations that border on operational matters.