I have no influence in awarding the police stations tender - PSP

Sharon Mathala | Monday November 6, 2023 06:00

The husband's company, Legacy Pursuit Proprietary Limited according to the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) records, was only registered on March 28, 2023. But two months later on May 17, 2023, it was part of the nine companies that were approved through selective tendering for the construction of 28 police stations across the country for the Botswana Police Service (BPS). A further search of the company indicates that its shareholding comprises seven companies. Six of the seven companies are also shelf ones as they were all registered on the same day just like Legacy Pursuit. The PSP’s husband’s then two months old Legacy Pursuit will have a share of the alleged P236 million total budget for the new 28 police stations.

According to a whistleblower's report, questions are being asked; “why has a substantial construction project valued at P236 million been limited to the participation of only nine companies? Given the distribution of 28 police stations among these nine entities, it is obvious that each company stands to gain a considerable financial portion worth tens of millions. Why was the alternative of an open tender not pursued to ensure optimal value for government expenditures?” The report further raised concerns about the method preferred by the ministry for the tendering awarding. ”I find it extremely concerning the lack of transparency and equal opportunity in these decisions. The absence of a competitive bidding process raises serious questions about favouritism and the potential mismanagement of public funds. Such practices directly undermine the principles of fairness and accountability that should govern public procurement. The absence of an open tender process gives rise to suspicions regarding motivations behind these decisions, suggesting the possibility of corruption and undue influence,” said the report. Sources further allege that according to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Act Section 31 (1), (2) and (3), the PSP by virtue of her position should have declared any of her immediate family’s business interest with government.

The Act says: “A member or an employee of a public body is guilty of corruption if he or an immediate member of his family has a direct or indirect interest in any company or undertaking with which such body proposes to deal, or he has a personal interest in any decision which such body is to make, and he, knowingly, fails to disclose the nature of such interest, or votes or participates in the proceedings of such body relating to such dealing or decision”. However, in an interview with Mmegi recently, the PSP claimed ignorance about the matter. She confirmed to Mmegi that she was aware of the intention of government to build 28 police stations but denied knowledge of which companies were eventually contracted if any. The PSP further confirmed that her husband is a businessman and has been for years.

She told Mmegi that her husband has been working with government even before her appointment to the top government post. When Mmegi put it to her that she ought to have declared that her husband is interested in the government multi million tender, she quickly defended herself and said: “I am not involved in tendering processes for ministries. By being in Cabinet, like you mention, yes, we are briefed about government tenders like the one you mention as well as many other government tenders and all this is public information,” she said. Asked by Mmegi further if she is briefed on major government tenders on a regular basis as well as their progress she responded: “Not at all. Those are not details I am privy to. Records are shared with everyone and not just me. There is a process of development when it comes to government spending.

Additionally, the PSP stated she is not the only one who sits at Cabinet. “I did not know he was interested in that project. There are many projects that are presented to Cabinet like you say but they are not at tendering stage since they still have to be approved by Parliament. But how will I know then that my husband will be interested in the project? How? How would I have known so that I recuse myself that he will be interested in this one out of the thousands?” she rhetorically asked. Asked if the husband did not inform her that he will be tendering for the project, she responded: “I don’t dictate to my husband what he does with his business. He does his work and I do mine. That is how it is”. The PSP maintained that she had no influence in government awarding her husband’s two-months- old company the multi-million pula police tender. She further said she had no clue that he will not tender nor which method of restricted bidding, the ministry and the police would use.