Police station commander Maleka described it as “inhuman” to have sexual intercourse with ones own daughter, adding that it is “the evil spirit and is against the will of God.'We are not animals lets stop doing such bad things,'' he said.

Allegations of procurement favouritism

By Basadi Morokotso

An accusing finger has been pointed by some businesses at supplies officers in various government departments in Maun.

They are said to be doing things the wrong way in the procurement of goods and services for their departments.

They have been accused by some businesses, for instance, that they favour only one hardware store in the town. Complaining owners claim this has affected their businesses as government is the main consumer in the area.

The hardware store owner involved has strenuously denied the claims, saying he follows all procedures as laid down by the government.

Other store owners allege that their quotations are always turned down and priority given to the dealer.

This, other businesses claim, has left them with no option but to bring the matter into the open because otherwise they always feel they are “being taken for a ride” in submitting quotations merely for formality purposes so that they can be placed on government records. The supplies officers are also said to have a tendency of requesting quotations from suppliers, after which they allegedly convince dealers to lower prices to be “selected” and knowing that they will benefit.

The Ngami Times acted on a tip off after a reliable source alerted us to the practice.

Management at various stores said they were worried because they are not selling to the officers “as we cannot offer freebies.”

One supplies officer told The Ngami Times however said he was surprised at the accusations and denied all knowledge of it.

He said officers do not buy goods right away from suppliers but follow established channels that include sitting down as a committee and selecting a store they feel offers lower prices. This entailed checking quotations submitted to them as that is the procedure.

He also said his particular department buys items from various shops because one would find that shops differ in prices and as such they always give priority to other dealers as well so that they (the stores) “do not feel left out.”

One dealer, Nikunj Mehta, managing director of Archein Hardware, says he is not engaged in illegal acts.

He said he “did not even supply some of the government departments” and had the right to sell, buy and reduce prices if the need arose and looking at their needs at the time.

Like other suppliers, he follows procedures as required by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB).

Mehta admitted he delivers goods to government departments in Gaborone and Francistown despite the fact that there are many other hardware dealers in those cities.

“I personally do not see a problem in doing so because what I am doing can be done by any other dealer. As much as I can supply my customers in Gaborone, other dealers are also free to supply here as long as they follow the right procedures and, besides, it is the PPADB who awarded me the tender and gave me the go ahead”, he said.

He did not dictate to supplies officers as to where to purchase goods.

Mehta said: “It's all about competition. They have the right to choose where they want to buy looking at the prices and in any event Archein Hardware is the second largest in Maun in terms of carrying stock.

“People should understand that we are in business and that there are politics even in business. There are always those on the opposing side who enjoy dragging others through the mud”.

Mehta said he is would place on the table whatever he might be expected to do because he has all the necessary records that will help answer all queries.

Police know causes of accidents

By Keagisitswe Dioka

Maun traffic police say they know that most accidents in the area are caused by over- speeding - especially by young drivers - drunken driving, failure to obey road signs and recklessness.

They also say driving very slowly is not a problem – and recommend it.

Police district traffic officer Alfred Magudu said some accidents are caused by drunken driving while others are caused by over speeding and not observing road signs.

He said from June 1 to 23 this year, the police recorded 23 road accidents, adding that last week alone they recorded a few minor accidents caused by speeding. Magudu said they always set speed traps along the roads and charge many people, but said this does not seem to work as drivers continue to speed.

According to Magudu most accidents occur during the night when speed traps are not operating, and that these accidents are sometimes caused by animals on the road. He said drivers should always know that they can come across animals while they travel at speed and also that some motorists had become ignorant about driving at night. They also put the blame on animals roaming on the roads.

When asked whether the state of Maun roads and the district at large contribute in any way to the accidents, Magudu said the roads were “OK”.

He said even though there are some poor roads, drivers should take the responsibility of avoiding accidents. Most do not keep enough distance between vehicles and this results in accidents when the vehicle in front suddenly stops.

Magudu said drivers who travel at a very low speed are not in violation of any traffic law. This come after some drivers complained that drivers who travel at very low speeds - some as low as 20 km/h - contributed to accidents as they cause traffic jams. Magudu said such drivers avoid accidents.

Death of veteran politician

Popular Joseph Kavindama, a veteran politician in Opposition circles, has died. Kavindama, who died on Saturday aged 66, is a former MP for Okavango and served the constituency for 20 years until 2004.

He was a Botswana Congress Party member and he had just won the party primaries to stand for the constituency in the 2009 general election.

Kavindama will be remembered for his outspoken debates in parliament, alongside others in the likes of Maitshwarelo Dabutha, Kenneth Koma and Paul Rantao (all of whom are now dead). He did not mince words when talking in parliament in support of Okavango people, something which made it difficult for the Botswana Democratic Party to snatch the constituency from him.

He was also known for his unique campaigning strategies that even the BDP could not emulate. He is said to have been able to campaign in the worst of situations, sometimes on foot, on a donkey's back, or on a mokoro - and at the end he would win the elections. He will be buried on Saturday.

Editorial

Where do we stand?

War drums are starting to beat over the Zimbabwe situation.

Calls for armed peacekeepers to enter the country to oust the despotic Robert Mugabe and restore democracy there are being voiced internationally. British commentators have been hinting at it and are at the same time totting up the costs of such a military adventure in the light of what it could do to international relations for years to come.

We in Botswana need to be concerned, very concerned.

Our tourism industry - precarious as it is because of our close proximity to Zimbabwe - will literally die off overnight until the situation is normalised as potential visitors look at the map of Africa and cancel trips when they see we share a common border. Our refugee camps will be packed. Our food supplies will be severely tested.

Unhappily, Mugabe doesn't appear to want to listen to reason. He is surely set on a path of confrontation with the international community and will no doubt in the coming weeks reap the whirlwind of no longer being regarded as head of a government but rather a dictator heading a government that no one (except maybe China and South Africa) recognises as legitimate.

An illegitimate Zimbabwe on our doorstep will be virtually the same for our country as having peacekeepers across the border – our national interest would not be served but while we wring our hands in despair, the question to be asked is: What can we do?

LETTER FROM ZIMBABWE

Final nail in the coffin for Zimbabwe

All the bitterness that is part of the Zimbabwean scenario is summed up in this Letter from Zimbabwe .

The decision that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is pulling out of the presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe today (Friday) has to be the final nail in the coffin for democracy in Zimbabwe .

But it is not just democracy that has met its demise. Zimbabwe as a nation is in the last throes of a long terminal illness. Democracy was its only hopeful cure.

President Robert Mugabe has won through Morgan Tsvangirai's capitulation.

Nearly 90 people have been sacrificed in his fight for the “crown”', in the slim hope of change and against insurmountable odds during the last five weeks.

Most observers would have expected Tsvangirai to hang in and, at the very least, allow the people a chance to make their choice.

What on earth have people been dying for? It surely beggars the question, was Tsvangirai man enough to take the reins of power?

Certainly, once the MDC had set its course along the route to change, people would expect the opposition party to maintain its course. It was never going to be easy, but most people did not expect Tsvangirai to give up. Pity the vanquished. At last we can all settle back to normality! I am sure the international community will be delighted that this dirty little mess can now be swept under the carpet. Who really cares about this oil barren country anyway?

Could we expect the British and the Americans to show their distaste? This is hardly likely, if their performance during past weeks is any measure. Thoroughly gutless and “mealie” mouthed would best describe them.

They now have the option to either break diplomatic ties with a truly evil regime, which they should, or to continue, business as usual. I know that their choice will be the latter, despite the blood on their hands. We are not sure if the African Union has actually been aroused to the goings on in Zimbabwe , so we might accept a grunt of two from within its ranks, but they will be groans of approval for the old liberation hero of Africa .

The regional response is likely to be one of mild condemnation that the electoral process never ran its course, but it was not Mugabe who stopped this anyway. It has been a very long and tragic charade, played out by politicians at the expense of a wonderful people whose destiny is now that of misery and no hope, much like the rest of Africa .

Zimbabwe could have been different.

Doctors desperately needed

SELEBI-PHIKWE – More medical doctors are being trained to help alleviate the shortage in government hospitals.

This was said here recently by Health minister Lesego Motsumi when addressing nurses at the local hospital.

Motsumi said it takes years to train health professionals such as doctors. The nurses had asked for the meeting as they claimed to have to perform duties usually undertaken only by doctors.

The hospital currently has 7 doctors instead of its quota of 10, 124 nurses instead of 140, and needs six pharmacists and laboratory technicians as well.

Fishing regulations now in operation

The controversial new fishing regulations have been clarified by the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.

It says the fish protection regulations were gazetted on May 23 and therefore these are now in effect.

“The public is informed that those who were already engaged in fisheries activities before the enactment of the Fish Protection Regulations should normalise their fisheries operations with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks with immediate effect. We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” the ministry says in a statement.

Leisure fishermen are in particular upset about the regulations as these do not cater for tourists, who have to pay for a monthly permit even though they may be fishing in Botswana waters fore three or four days.

Safari operators have also said they are not in favour of their branch of tourism being affected by the regulations.

Wildlife not part of meat distribution

GWETA - Wildlife officials were not involved in the recent distribution of elephant meat in Gweta.

The Ministry of Environment Wildlife and Tourism public relations office says reports to that effect published in Gaborone newspapers was “false” as the distribution had been “a gesture of goodwill” by a safari company. In the article it was reported that a truck from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks went to the village loaded with elephant carcasses and distributed the meat.

The District Wildlife co-ordinator G M Otumile, disclosed this week that the meat had come from the Destination South hunting company which also supplied the truck and staff.

The company is at present undertaking “elephants sport hunting in the CT1 area” near Gweta, and the company management had authorised the distribution.

Kids set houses on fire

Police are warning parents against their asking small children to light candles and lamps in their homes.

This follows six house fires during which valuable property was destroyed.

In one incident, at Tonota, a 4-year-old child was sent by his grandmother to light a paraffin lamp “and accidentally the house was set on fire,” a police report said this week. Property worth over P357 000.00 was destroyed. Another Tonota house was also gutted after a child was also told to light a paraffin lamp.

Meanwhile, the weekly police report says that eight murders took place in the week ending June 15 as well as 27 rapes, 20 thefts of motor vehicles and 33 armed robberies.

A total of 10 people died on the roads while 863 motorists were arrested for speeding .

Bank rate hike to beat inflation

The bank rate has been increased by half a percentage to 15.55.

The Bank of Motswana announced last Friday that it was tightening monetary policy with the objective of containing inflation.

It said that since October 21007, inflation has gone upwards and has remained about the objective range of 3 to 6%, mainly reflecting the global increase in the price of food and oil. It is expected that inflation will continue to go up in the short term before declining early next year.

“The risks to the inflation outlook continue to be predominantly upward due to among others growing pressure on demand with a likely further increase in fuel prices and other effects,” a statement said.

Tough stance on bus, taxi operators

The Ministry of Works and Transport says it is concerned about what it describes as “a lack of discipline and wayward behaviour” displayed by some passenger transport operators, public service vehicle drivers and conductors on the roads.

This behaviour manifests itself through reckless driving, over-speeding, use of vulgar language, touting (use of hooters to lure passengers), U-turns (non-completion of routes), and stopping anywhere to load and offload passengers.

Obstructing other road users, driving through red traffic lights, playing of loud music, overloading of passengers, and the use of un-gazetted places as bus and taxi ranks and many others are also listed.

In some cases this has resulted in road accidents which have claimed many innocent lives.

The ministry says the President's roadmap for Botswana “is underpinned and characterised by amongst other principles, Discipline and Dignity.”

It adds: “Nothing can be achieved successfully without discipline in any society and living in dignity must go hand in hand with being treated with dignity.”

The ministry is now urging all operators, drivers and conductors of public service vehicles to strictly abide by the requirements of the Road Transport (Permits) Act and the Road Traffic Act, as well as the conditions of their transport permits. They should have discipline on the road and treat their passengers with dignity (botho) for the transport industry to prosper.

All have been advised to observe the following conditions regarding treatment of passengers: Passengers treated with respect; passengers charged strictly according to authorised rates; long distance passengers to be issued with tickets or receipts on the fare paid.

The handling and position of luggage in the guardrail is the responsibility of the driver and the conductor; luggage must be tagged; any loss of property is the responsibility of the permit holder; no passenger overloading. All road users are asked to report any incidents of indiscipline to the Police and /or the Department of Road Transport and Safety so that action can be taken.

Transport Permits as well as PrDPs of habitual offenders will, in the national interest, be revoked in accordance with Section 11(5) of the Road Transport (Permits) Act and section 111 (1) of the road Traffic Act respectively.

“The ministry informs all the transport operators and the public at large that it has a toll free number where they can report any misbehaviour displayed by the transport operators. The toll free number is 0800 600 830,” a statement said.

The good, the bad and the ugly of Botswana

Corruption is not a significant concern for businesses operating in Botswana and the country ranks as the least corrupt by far of all countries in Africa .

This is the finding of a country survey undertaken by capital Resources, a Gaborone-based organisation.

Zimbabwe is regarded as the most corrupt country in the world, and others are Kenya , Congo Republic , Mali , Malawi , Uganda , Mozambique , Algeria , Tanzania , and Sri Lanka .

Botswana ranks 38 th out of 179 nations, according to the survey, and is viewed as less corrupt than Italy , Greece , Malaysia and South Africa .

Compared to 1996, Botswana was 37 th out of 163 nations with a corruption Perception Index (CPI) figure of 5.6 placing it 38 th with a CPI of 5.4.

“This may imply that despite measures taken by the government, corruption in the country is perceived and becoming worse – although not a serious problem – or alternatively that Botswana has fallen back as other countries have improved their anti-corruption stance,” the survey says.

There is praise for Botswana as having “the best performing economy in Africa .”

Diversification is however important as diamond production has leveled off.

The survey warns against dependence on a single commodity – diamonds – and says unemployment is a serious problem as well. The unemployment figure is calculated as being between 20 and 25%.

The country is ranked as lowly 87 th out of 129 countries in the travel and tourism competitive index.

It says that in Africa, countries such as Egypt are way ahead in having a competitive tourism industry, and then rates Mauritius, South Africa, Gambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia and Uganda as being far more competitive than Botswana.

On the negative side, too, Botswana is seen as having the second highest HIV prevalence rate internationally after Swaziland , with about 260 000 HIV positive adults.

“This threat to the fabric of the society and the economy posed by HIV/AIDS is enormous,” says the survey.

“The burden on family structures and livelihoods as breadwinners die, medical and funeral expenses mount, and children are orphaned.

“This will also impact on business in the form of additional expenses related to sickness, absenteeism, reduced productivity, higher staff turnover and additional recruitment and training costs.”

On other issues, Botswana is ranked only 75 th in the world for press freedom, with Zimbabwe , Swaziland and Nigeria listed as the worst in the world.

Gumare police investigating death

By Keagisitswe Dioka

ETSHA 6 - Gumare police are investigating a case in which a middle-aged Etsha 6 man died in a car accident at Etsha 6.

The accident took place at about 10.30pm on June 22 next to the Multi Cooperative Shop.

According to information from Gumare station commander Nkwebi Chilisa, there were four people in a Honda vehicle when the driver apparently lost control of it.

He said the car went off the road and hit an Isuzu car which had been parked.

A man was killed instantly while the driver of the vehicle and another man are admitted to Gumare primary hospital. Both are said to be critical.

The woman passenger was treated and discharged.

Chilisa advised motor vehicle drivers to reduce speed, adding that drivers must know all the times while they are driving that they are in possession of a machine that can kill.

He added that drunken driving is very dangerous as it narrows the judgment of a motorist, thereby making them vulnerable to road accidents.

Stepfather rapes 13-year-old girl

By Sarah Mbaeva

A standard 7 pupil at a local school was allegedly raped by her stepfather according to Maun police.

She had been with two elder sisters while their mother went to the cattle post.

On the day of the offence, the stepfather's sister and his brother asked her to go with them to their cattle post. She went and while sleeping with her stepfather's sister she was called by her stepfather who told her to go with him to fetch liver from his house.

She agreed, police said, and accompanied him to his house and when they arrived he instructed her to sleep but she refused.

The accused then forcefully undressed her and threatened that if she screamed he would cut her neck with a knife.

The accused then allegedly forced her on the floor and raped her.

The girl reported the matter to her stepfather's sister who did not take any action. The girl's mother arrived three days later and she told her. The mother then made a report to the police but to date the accused has not been arrested.

Fake P100 notes in circulation

By Keagisitswe Dioka

Maun station commander Robson Maleka has warned the public to be on the lookout for P100 fake notes which are in circulation.

He said people should try to see the difference between the realP100 note and a fake one. The notes are different in colour, and their textures are not the same.

He said after a 19-year-old Sedie woman reported that on June 21 at her phone shop, a Riverside man (23), whom she knew, came to her with a P100 note to buy a bag of oranges valued at P10.

The woman gave him P90 change and the man disappeared with the change and the bag of oranges. The woman later discovered that the money was a fake, and when she called him, he ran to Trekkers night club.

The woman then reported the matter to Maun police station where she was told that the man was arrested for a similar offence of obtaining by false pretences.

In another case, Maun police are investigating a case in which a 38 year woman who runs a bar in Thitoyamokodi reported that on June 22 when she was counting the previous day's sales, she discovered that unknown culprits used a fake P100 note to buy at the bar.

She then reported the matter to the police and the fake note was handed to the police. The serial number for that P100 was G/32075314.

Kenyan sugar decision a lesson for us?

A decision by the Kenyan government is being seen by local conservationists as something that should not be allowed to happen in environmentally-conscious Botswana .

The Kenyans are allowing the destruction of the country's Tana delta birds, biodiversity and livelihoods in order to allow the development of sugarcane plantations.

BirdLife Botswana says the decision is paralleled by plans to establish sugarcane plantations in the Chobe area near Kasane.

“The topic is extremely important and relevant to Botswana and the public needs to know the full implications and dangers of so-called development,” a spokesaman for BirdLife Botswana said this week.

The Botswana proposal is being studied by the government and so far no decision has been taken to give the go-ahead for the scheme which is believed will have a massive impact on the ecology of the region.

Kenya , through its National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), approved a proposal to turn 20 000 hectares of the pristine Tana Delta into irrigated sugarcane plantations.

Conservationists and villagers living in the delta, which provides refuge for 350 species of bird, lions, elephants, rare sharks and reptiles including the Tana writhing skink, believe the decision is illegal and are determined to block the development.

Paul Matiku, executive director of Nature Kenya (BirdLife in Kenya ), said: “This decision is a national disaster and will devastate the delta.”

A report commissioned by Nature Kenya and BirdLife in Britain found that the developer's plans overestimated profits, ignored fees for water use and pollution from the sugarcane plant, and disregarded the loss of income from wildlife tourists.

Office breaking accused in court

By Keagisitswe Dioka

Men accused of breaking into the Game Trails Safaris office appeared this week before Maun senior magistrate Rebecca Motsamai.

Mogami Skull Mothobi (24), Tumelo Mopalo (24) and an accused named as Kgakgamatso (22) were charged for breaking and stealing two laptops valued at P16 000 on July 1, 2007.

The owner of the company, Clint Glink (35), of Tsanakona ward, said he had closed all windows and doors of the offices on June 30, 2007, and said his home was in the same block as was his house. At about 2 am on July 1 he heard his dogs barking and when he went outside he found nothing. He then returned to bed.

Glink added that about 7.30am he had asked his neighbour if they had heard anything during the night, and was told they had not.

He told the court that when he went to his office he discovered that the windows were open and his HP 6110 laptop valued at P8 000 and a Dell laptop valued at P8 000 were missing. Police were informed.

Mothobi and Mopalo asked him whether he knew them but Glink said he first saw them at the police station last year. Kgakgamatso said nothing.

A radio repairer, Goitseone Madise (36), of Riverside ward, told the court that he was at his workshop on July 15, 2007 when Mopalo and Mothobi came with a Dell laptop for sale.

He said he told them that he did not have money but there is someone who needs it, adding that he phoned his friend “Walter” telling him about the laptop. Walter's reply was that he also did not have money but would also call a friend.

Madise said Mothobi had nothing to say during their discussion with Mopalo. Walter and his friend came after sometime and he was still with Mopalo who said the laptop was worth P1 200.

Walter and his friend said they could only afford to buy the laptop for P800, and this was the price which the two parties agreed upon.

Mopalo took the money and according to Madise he was given P200 as a reward for assisting in selling the laptop.

Tumelo asked Madise whether he had not mentioned any name of the owner of the laptop and when responding to him, Madise said he had forgotten the name.

Mothusi Mojewa (32), a technician, said on July 2, Mothobi came to him with HP 6110 laptop at his workshop, saying that it cannot switch on. He said he then told Mothobi that he would look at the laptop and should come later to collect it.

Mojewa said he called his friend Sibanda to assist him in repairing the laptop as he was familiar with computers. They found that the battery was not charged.

Mothobi to collect it and was told the repairs cost P250. Mothobi said he did not have money and was planning to sell the laptop for P2 000, adding that he can only pay him if he can sell the laptop. Mojewa continued saying he then phoned Sibanda again telling him that he is selling the laptop and Sibanda told him he also did not have money and he could only afford to pay P1 500 adding that he would pay P1 000 the following day and the balance end of the month.

The following day Sibanda paid the P1 000 and took the laptop, and Mojewa was paid the P250. Mojewa said some days later he received a phone call from police officers who asked him about the laptop and Mothobi.

He told the police that Mothobi was his client and that the laptop was with Sibanda, who was said to be in Zimbabwe . Mojewa was detained in the police cells for further investigations.

Mothobi asked Mojewa whether he knew that he was not the owner of the laptop but Mojewa said he did not apart from him. The evidence of Jobella Masole who bought a Dell laptop from Mopalo and evidence of the arresting officer Pelindaba Gumede was admitted by all the accused.

The prosecutor was Patrick Fane of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The continuation of trial will be set on September 1 during a mention appearance.

Government appeals on nightclub ruling

The government has appealed against a High Court ruling given in favour of nightclubs recently.

The appeal follows an urgent application by nightclub owners for their businesses to continue operating under old liquor regulations.

Judge Isaac Lesetedi ruled in May in the Lobatse High Court that nightclubs could continue to operate in accordance with their existing licences until September or when the licences expire. The old licences entitled nightclubs to operate from 8pm to 4am. The new regulations however prohibit late night opening. They have to close at 2am on weekends and 12 midnight on weekdays.

In Maun, a number of staff of Trekkers night club has been retrenched as a result of the new regulations and dropping off of business.

The Weekender

Huge study on waste management in delta

A recent report in The Ngami Times quoting a Botswana magazine article on waste water management in the Okavango delta has drawn a sharp response from the BIOKAVANGO Project which is involved in the management of the Ramsar Site.

The report in the magazine, “Wena”, claimed that only three out of 40 tourism lodges in the delta used correct waste management techniques.

“The BIOKAVANGO Project, in partnership with the tourism industry, launched a liquid waste management study in the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS). The study seeks to develop a standard liquid waste management strategy to guide communities and tourism operations. Aqualogic (Pty) Ltd was contracted to do the work,” according to a statement released to The Ngami Times said this week.

The project has two distinct components: - The assessment of liquid waste treatment/management systems of tourism establishments, and the assessment of transportation, handling and storage of hazardous substances, such as fuel and oil.

“Tourism operators, government officials, researchers from the University of Botswana 's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) and other stakeholders took the opportunity to interact with the consultant at the inception phase of the project,' the statement said.

The primary instrument for data collection is a semi-structured questionnaire covering key variables of water usage, liquid waste management systems, hazardous waste transportation, handling and storage. The questionnaire is being administered to representatives of the tourism establishments within the ODRS which are listed in the Botswana Tourism Board directory. Information obtained from the questionnaires is cross-checked by field visits to selected establishments, where samples of waste water are collected for chemical analysis at the HOORC environmental chemistry laboratories in Maun.

The interviews are backed up by field visits to selected tourism lodges within the ODRS.

The National Project Coordinator, Dr Nkobi Moleele, congratulated the tourism operators for their support to the ongoing project, and stressed that it was very important to understand that this study was ‘‘not an inspection of any kind”, but a chance to contribute towards better environmental protection/management standards in the ODRS.

“Since many of the tour operators already employ high standards of environmental management systems, this should be seen as a good opportunity to help conserve the Delta for future generations through contribution towards formulation of liquid waste management strategies aimed at sustaining the ODRS,” Moleele said. Proper management of liquid waste is a vital practice for all users of the ODRS, to protect this important and globally unique ecological system. The BIOKAVANGO Project will use the results from the study to develop and demonstrate appropriate, effective and environmental friendly type of waste management for the ODRS.

The study will also assist in the development of guidelines or standards for handling, transportation and storage of hazardous substances in the Delta (specifically fuel and oil).

Although there are no records of negative impacts, a large-scale spillage of hazardous substances could impact very badly on the fragile ecosystem so the study will therefore make recommendations that feed into development of a contingency plan for this type of incidents.

“Data access and capturing for this exercise is very crucial for reliable outputs by the consultant. Therefore, the HATAB chairperson, Derek Flatt, encourages all tourism establishments in the Delta to cooperate and support this initiative, by providing the consultant with all the necessary information and any other possible assistance they may seek,” the statement added..

Further information regarding the study can be obtained from the BIOKAVANGO Project, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Maun (telephone 6817270 or email biokavango@orc.ub.bw )

A leading clothing outlet, Pep Stores, has donated electrical gadgets to Maun Counselling Centre, an NGO helping orphans and destitutes. The goods included a 74cm LG TV, VCR, and a CD and tape radio player. Kerapetse Ketso, the store's area manager, said it formed part of his company's pledge to help the community, adding “our business is in our community, and we have just started a project of giving back as a way of appreciation.” Maun Counselling Centre board member Gabatshwane Kgathi applauded the store for the effort to reach out to the needy. “It is not every business organisation, or individuals, who have a heart for the orphans but here we are witnessing an effort to support and give a normal life to those who cannot afford it. They have opened the way for other organisations.”

Woman raped while sleeping

NOKANENG - A 30-year-old Nokaneng man is assisting Gumare police with investigations regarding an alleged rape case.

The incident occurred during the night of June 22 at Nokaneng.

A woman aged 38 was sleeping in her house when it is alleged the accused entered the building and allegedly raped her. The matter was reported to the police and investigations are still continuing.

The country now knows that the chief executive of Air Botswana , Lance Brogden, has quit the airline in order to take a high powered job with the International a ir Transport a ssociation (IATA).

No one can really blame him as he tried very hard to turn the airline around in the face of political activity aimed against him, a parliament that wasn't very happy about Air Botswana being privatised (and from what Shuffle hears, the knives are out to ensure that the preferred management bidder, Comair, is shafted as well), and the undisputed fact that when Brogden took over there was discontent because an outsider was brought in by the Mogae government to run the airline.

He has also had to put up with a not-so-good maintenance record for the aircraft fleet, constant delays (most particularly on the Gaborone-Maun-Gaborone schedule) and customer dissatisfaction.

Comair, which is linked to British Airways, is probably the best for the Air Botswana management role, coming as it does with years of experience in African skies. Obscure airlines and management companies would never have been able to run the local outfit with any degree of success!

All that Shuffle can say is do well, Lance, in your new role.

By the way, dear old a ir Botswana hasn't had the courtesy to formally advice its staff or its customers that the chief executive is leaving!

**

A particular Maun bank continues to rip off the public in the name of “improved service.”

Companies have found that if they send employees to the bank with a company cheque, made out in the employee's name because the bank will not accept “cash” cheques, there is a surcharge of about P25 as the employee doesn't have an account at said bank.

This is a Catch-22 situation that is nothing short of outrageous as, if a company has an account, an employee takes the cheque to the bank and therefore there should be no charge – or is the banking fraternity keen to take everyone for a ride in this regard?

**

The Nata-Pandamatenga-Kasane road remains a disgrace, motorists who regularly travel that stretch of highway have informed shuffle.

A couple of months ago a letter writer to this newspaper highlighted the dangerous state of the road – a key artery for tourists and commercial transport alike to Kasane, Zambia and that other place, what's its name? Oh yes. Zimbabwe .

The point was made that there are potholes so big that accidents are being caused as motorists who are not aware of the danger speed over them with disastrous results to not only the vehicle but also the motorist and his or her passengers.

The Transport department then reacted and said the road would be repaired in three stages – ie, seriously damaged, not so seriously and relatively minor. Well, s huffle is informed that if anything the road is still as dangerous as it was – and one motorist says that it appears as is being done id the holes are being filled in by calcrete, which as we all know is quickly disturbed by passing traffic and in the rainy season is next to useless as a road covering.

Come on guys, Botswana has the money to do a better job so why don't you?

And while on the subject of potholes, have you noticed the alarming number on Maun's roads. There are some potholes that are “repaired” and instantly reappear because of bad workmanship. We can think of the roads at the temporary taxi ranks and what is known as “A to Z corner.”

There also potholes near the Tawana Land Board building which have become quite famous as these have been “repaired” so many times it is laughable.

Ronald Ridge (left), MP, is pictured here presenting a Cheque to Bird life Botswana Representative Pete Hankock as part of the proceeds collected during a long-distance bicycle challenge from Gaborone to Maun. Two other organisations- Women Against Rape and Bana ba letsatsi also benefited.

Kenyan sugar decision a lesson for us?

A decision by the Kenyan government is being seen by local conservationists as something that should not be allowed to happen in environmentally-conscious Botswana .

The Kenyans are allowing the destruction of the country's Tana delta birds, biodiversity and livelihoods in order to allow the development of sugarcane plantations.

BirdLife Botswana says the decision is paralleled by plans to establish sugarcane plantations in the Chobe area near Kasane. “The topic is extremely important and relevant to Botswana and the public needs to know the full implications and dangers of so-called development,” a spokesaman for BirdLife Botswana said this week.

The Botswana proposal is being studied by the government and so far no decision has been taken to give the go-ahead for the scheme which is believed will have a massive impact on the ecology of the region.

Kenya , through its National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), approved a proposal to turn 20 000 hectares of the pristine Tana Delta into irrigated sugarcane plantations.

Conservationists and villagers living in the delta, which provides refuge for 350 species of bird, lions, elephants, rare sharks and reptiles including the Tana writhing skink, believe the decision is illegal and are determined to block the development.

Paul Matiku, executive director of Nature Kenya (BirdLife in Kenya ), said: “This decision is a national disaster and will devastate the delta.”

As we went to press this week, the Minister of Agriculture, Christian de Graaf, announced the Chobe project has been declined and the developers offered other land .

Profile

The people of our town

Nhabe region has been doing well in most sports and is now rated as one of the best in the country. The shining stars from this region have made it at national level with and some are competing at international level. Letsholathebe Primary School teacher, Selebatso Keabetswe, has worked tirelessly to put the region on the national map through his mentoring in sports, particularly athletics.

The Ngami Times caught up with the sports development genius.

Can you tell us who you are?

My name is Selebatso Keabetswe, but I am better known as ‘Sleb'

What are you currently doing for a living?

I am a teacher at Letsholathebe Primary School in Maun, and I am a senior teacher in Sports and Culture.

What makes you famous in the world of sport?

It was a long way that I went through, but firstly I attended several coaching sports codes, I have attended courses for football, cricket, hockey, and basketball.

Being a regional sports co-ordinator, what are your duties?

I over see all the sporting codes, but I am currently involved in football and athletics.

Since you started in football, what have you achieved and at which level?

My first assignment was with the under 12 football team way back in 2004. We were runners up in the Voice Cup tournament in Francistown and since then I have never looked back. Although we have not won a major tournament, we have always come second.

What made you to get involved in sports and in coaching?

My first medal in 2004 in Francistown was the turning point for my career. Since then I have never looked back. In that same tournament, I was selected to join the School of Excellence as a coach.

What have you so far achieved since you were engaged into sports?

After the Re Ba Bona Ha launch in Maun, I was appointed Regional co-ordinator, and Botswana Football Association (BFA) appointed me the regional coach for all youth programmes from the under 12, 15, 17 and 20.

How has the performance of the teams been?

The players are just good. In all the tournaments we have attended, we had players selected for the School of Excellence , and the teams have also gone through national trials.

Do you have any players who are playing at national level?

Yes, in 2005 we had two under 15 players who played for the National team in South Africa in a junior tournament. Here in Maun, there are quite a number of players who have been absorbed by regional league teams and they are doing well.

What about athletics?

Since my appointment in 2003, our region has been dominating, and tell you what, we have been champions at national and regional level to date.

How do you rate Nhabe and other regions?

Our region is far from everything. We are now on top because of our performance in sports and athletics. In 2006 we had 5 students who went under training camp in Gaborone , and they are currently performing very well.

Looking at your personal profile, what have you achieved?

All that I have achieved is through hard work. I have attended courses in football coaching such as the basic coaching course (Maun), Intermediate level ( Gaborone ) facilitated by English FA, Advanced level ( Francistown ) Germany FA. Athletics: Preliminary level, Level 1, Level 4 ( Nairobi Kenya ) which is currently the highest athletics coaching course under the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF). I have done basics in cricket, hockey and basketball and the refresher courses.

What is your best moment in your coaching life?

I remember a tournament in Selebi Phikwe with the under 15 team. That was the best side I have ever coached. We had a game against a team from Francistown which included 11 players from the School of Excellence , and I had only 3 players from the School. That is one of my most memorable games. I had players like Lazarus Rooi and Thabo Mhlanga who were just inspirational. The boys made me enjoy my coaching.

Any other moment?

Recently I attended the IAAF course in Kenya , I had the opportunity to meet some of the best coaches from Australia and South Africa , and also sharing our best moments with other coaches from around the world.

Given the chance to coach a national side, what changes do you thing you will bring?

That is a very tricky question, but I think it is always good to work with happy players. What I am trying to say is that our players are not giving a lot of their ability and that includes our national soccer team. It is not that the coaches are failing, but the players are not happy with the incentives they are getting and that is where the major problem is coming. We can get good coaches from around the world but if the player is not getting what he wants, you cannot expect him to perform to his or her best.

What is your word of encouragement?

I would love to urge my fellow mates (teachers) to work hard and parents to allow their children to be involved in sports. Not all the students are good in school. They have talent in sports and they need that opportunity to show what they can do. Our region was never known for excellence in the past but it is slowly showing up and is a true reflection of talent.

The man behind junior sports development

Selebatso Keabetswe

Times Sport

Terrors make it to top division

Nhabe regional league football champions, Maun Terrors, have won promotion to the country's First Division North league after a dramatic 3-1 win against Moshopha Tigers in the last game of the regional promotional playoffs at Maun stadium on Sunday.

Maun Terrors join Orapa Wanderers, who finished on top of the 7-team mini league with 14 points from 6 games. Wanderers defeated Man Machine 4-1 to win their place in the First Division North league, along with Maun Terrors.

Terrors' road to victory was nearly derailed after they played to a 2-2 draw with other hot favorites Man Machine. A late equaliser by substitute Mogomotsi Kotomwa sent supporters into frenzy as the local X1 scratched for a share of spoils in the last minutes before fulltime.

Terrors had last week collected 7 points in their first three games, and they only wanted to win one game and even a draw in other games to book themselves a place.

Man Machine wanted the points to progress further after they had earlier collected 3 from Tigers who they clobbered 4-1, and a win against Terrors would have placed them in a competitive position.

The game started on a very high note with Man Machine nearly taking the lead in the early minutes of the first half, but Terrors defender Omponye Kebaetse kept his side together as he cleared the ball.

Both sides created numerous chances but either managed to convert until the 30 th minute when Maun Terrors took the lead from a goal by the hardworking winger Tshepo Machangane. After receiving a long pass from the midfield, Machangane outpaced his marker before drawing the Man Machine keeper off his line and lobbed the ball over the advancing Mponang Mponang to score. This changed dramatically in the second half when Man Machine got the equaliser. The Terrors goalkeeper failed to position himself, was drawn off the near post, and Daniel Pusompe scored. The drama continued two minutes later. Man Machine took the lead through Godiraone Segaise who intended to make a cross, but the ball was directed to the goalkeeper who was caught off guard and the ball sailed through the roof net and silenced the capacity crowd. Terrors fought hard in search of an equaliser which came late in the last minute of injury time, substitute Pelontle Dimbo spotted Kotomwa on the far left and send a curling pass just in front of the defenders. Kotomwa came from a blind spot to connect with a volley which left the keeper stranded .

Zebras need to pull up their socks

After losing 4-0 to Côte d'Ivoire in Abidjan on Sunday, the Zebras need to win all their remaining games and score more goals if they are to qualify for AFCON 2010 or the World Cup.

Ivory Coast 's win placed the side at the top of Group 7. After their disappointing show last week in Gaborone , the Ivorians showed their intentions from the onset as they went in the lead in the 16 th minute from a goal by striker Boubacar Sanogo.

It was rather a mountain to climb for the Zebras who at least wanted to get a draw, but not long before they could settle, the home team banged in a second goal through a header by Didier Zokora in the 21 st minute.

The Zebras could do nothing to shake the home team which had fielded in all their foreign based players but managed to hold on until the half time whistle.

After the break, Cote d'Ivoire increased their lead in the 46 th minute through Sekou Cisse, and then he wrapped up proceedings with a second in the 70 th minute. Despite the introduction of speedy winger Joel Mogorosi and midfielder Dirang Moloi, Zebras could not change the complexion of the game as the damage was already done.

With all the teams in the group having played four matches, Côte d'Ivoire have 8 points, 3 clear of Botswana . Mozambique and Madagascar follow with 4 and 3 points respectively. The next games will be played later this year. Botswana will entertain Mozambique at home while Madagascar will visit the Ivorians in Abidjan .

Maun hosts Coca Cola Cup game

After two weekends of promotional playoffs, Nhabe region will be again host a Coca Cola Cup football match between Gantsi Terrors and Letlhakane's Stone Breakers.

The sides are clashing at venue which is central for both sides as they will be all traveling from Letlhakane and Ghanzi respectively.

Gantsi Terrors narrowly beat Maun-based Makgabisanaga 1-0 in a game played in Ghanzi last weekend.

An interesting game is on the cards this weekend. Ghanzi Terrors were recently relegated from the First Division South league while Stone Breakers are in the First Division North.

The last time the teams played in Maun was when Maun Terrors hosted Stone Breakers in the same tournament and Terrors played Makgabisanaga.

Both sides have got good and experienced players who can win the game for their teams, but Terrors will be full of confidence after their win against Makgabisanaga.

The game will be played at Maun Sports Complex on Sunday at 2.30pm.

Kraai appointed BFA communications officer

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has appointed Phakamile Kraai as the new Marketing and Communications Officer.

Kraai brings to the Association a wealth of experience and has a degree in Mass Communications from Oklahoma university, United States .

His experience in media relations and public awareness campaigns and dealings with the media will be a valuable asset to the BFA. Before joining BFA, Kraai was working as an anti corruption officer 11 with the Public Education branch of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime.

Speaking to Times Sports, Kraai said that he is new at the organisation and he has to learn a number of things.