Batswana lack trust and interest in political parties
The majority of Batswana (over 50 percent) feel that politicians serve their own interests at the expense of the populace and distrust the political leadership because of political scandals and corruption. During a workshop yesterday, to present a survey on political parties in Botswana jointly conducted by the University of Botswana Democracy Research Project (DRP), the German Institute of African Affairs and the Frederich Ebert Stiftung, DRP member, Dr Adam Mfundisi, said the negative views about the political system and political parties are not healthy for the country’s cherished democracy.

Lengthy talks cause postponement of miners’ case
A case in which Debswana wanted Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) officials jailed for contempt was postponed yesterday because the two parties were locked in a lengthy meeting at the Industrial Court. The case will be heard today. The Debswana management had moved to court seeking to have 32 BMWU officials jailed for contempt after they failed to stop the on-going miners’ strike. The strike had been declared illegal by the court and the BMWU was ordered to make sure it did not take place.

GH employees may face retrenchment
A number of employees at Gaborone Hotel (GH), could soon find themselves unemployed if the new management and Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) fail to reach a compromise.

With ARVs beyond reach, rural folk resort to herbs
Moketsi Nleya, a subsistence farmer in rural Madlambuzi, western Zimbabwe, painfully retrieves a bunch of thin brown roots from under his pillow, which he breaks into tiny fragments and chews, followed by a cupful of an analgesic herbal concoction that also acts as a sedative. Nleya, 55, is among a growing number of HIV/AIDS patients in rural Zimbabwe who have to resort to traditional medicine because they have no direct access to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.

Marina seeks help to identify unclaimed corpses
PRINCESS Marina Hospital has sought the help of police and foreign missions based in Gaborone to help identify six bodies that have been lying at its mortuary for more than three months.

A man of humour and casino
Lunch hour breaks would never be the same at the Notwane Club following the death of one of the club’s regulars, Swift Mpoloka who was killed in a road accident on Sunday. When at the club, Mpoloka used to indulge in a popular cards game known as “casino”. The game is played in partnership. Club members said this would be the time when he would be at his best. When he was winning, you could be in trouble, said one of the club members.