Witness says his report had no raw data
Expert witness, Arthur Albertson said yesterday that two reports he wrote in 2001 after his scientific research had not included raw data. Under cross-examination by lead state counsel, Sidney Pilane in the Basarwa relocation case at the Lobatse High Court, he said the information was in dozens of notebooks, which he no longer has.

Government reforms parastatals
Finance Minister Baledzi Gaolathe has proposed a number of reforms to boost the profitability of parastatals. In the budget speech yesterday, he acknowledged that some of the public enterprises have done well, but the government requires that parastatals should achieve reasonable returns on the capital they invest.

No salary increment for civil servants
Finance and Development Planning Minister Baledzi Gaolathe dashed civil servants’ hopes when he failed to award them a salary increase. The Minister said that the tight budgetary situation and the fact that government has just started the implementation of the new unitary pay structure means that there will be no public service salary adjustment for the current financial year.

BDP dismisses Mzwinila’s appeal
FRANCISTOWN: The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) yesterday dismissed an election appeal by the losing party youth faction led by Kefentse Mzwinila.

Rantao, Good criticise silent diplomacy on Zim
A Member of Parliament and a University of Botswana academic have slammed the government for its ‘silent diplomacy’ on the Zimbabwean immigrants issue. Gaborone West North legislator, Paul Rantao and Professor Kenneth Good said the silent diplomacy can lead to serious civil disorder and war psychosis.

Police deny knowledge of missing human body parts
FRANCISTOWN: Kutlwano police have refused to shed light on reports that the uterus and foetus was missing when the body parts of a 27-year-old Gweta woman were fished from Phase Six toilets recently. A source close to the relatives of the deceased hairdresser, Theetsano Eletsang told Mmegi recently that it was realised during an autopsy that the uterus and the foetus were missing.

Businessman complains about House of Chiefs elections
A Chobe businessman has said that his efforts to join the House of Chiefs as a Specially Elected member were sabotaged by the tribal administration in Kasane.