Tenders are weaved, corrupt, anger me – Boko
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:12
Since he took over the biggest office in the land last year in October, Boko has not shied away from emphasising his intention to adopt direct appointments and ‘do away with outdated tendering regulations that delay progress’. During a Kgotla meeting in Tlokweng this week, President Boko said he knows firsthand the corrupt world of tenders where cronies work together to cheat the system. Addressing residents, Boko said tenders are a waste of time and that he has previously legally represented parties in tender disputes, got to know the corrupt nature of the tendering sector firsthand. He cited a case that he said showed great workmanship in the corrupt world of tenders. Furthermore, Boko said tendering processes are shady because some companies have access to inside information needed to win tenders. “Tenders are weaved, and trust me, I have seen it myself. If a tender is advertised, people are already in place and have won it beforehand,” he said. Boko, who has received criticism over his direct appointment approach, said he does not agree with the conception that normal tendering is good, fair, and done in the full glare of the public. “There is nothing public about tenders, it is thievery disguised as lawful. I am not a fool; I have dealt with these tender issues in court. If someone wants to play with tenders in front of me, I close my eyes and become even angrier,” he said.
He stated that no one can come to him with the tenders’ topic because he is not easily fooled. Boko emphasised that there is so much corruption in the so-called normal tendering processes. “When a tender comes out, it has already been awarded, and others are just runners-up. You will buy tender documents at a high price when the tender awardees already know they have won,” he said. Boko maintained that there is no way for someone new to penetrate the tenders world without favours. He maintained that after realising that tenders are corrupt, as a government, they saw the need to expedite things and do them properly. “Tenders waste our time and it's thievery,” he emphasised. Boko said people should assess people who are making noise that tenders are being stopped. “Look at them carefully and you will find out that there is part of these cohorts of corrupt tendering,” he said. Last month, after hearing Boko’s pronouncement that the government will make direct appointments going forward, Tshipidi Badiri Builders Association (TBBA) requested a meeting with the government.
The contractors complained that Boko’s pronouncement will erode competition and promote corruption, and work against local empowerment. TBBA indicated that the development further cripples citizen contractors' potential for growth and amounts to exporting of jobs and services at the detriment of citizens. TBBA chairperson, Tshotlego Kagiso told Mmegi this week that the government is still quiet about the meeting over the direct appointment issue. Boko is resolute that he is not going to do the normal tendering process and will instead take a direct route. He also told Tlokweng residents that if he were to reveal some of the decisions he has taken, some will faint on site. He said even in the Bonno Housing, there is no time for tenders because that is where a group of friends corruptly benefit. Boko said in the tendering processes, people make unnecessary specifications to favour their friends. He said as government, they are going to do away with these requirements because they are aware of corrupt practices in the tendering world. He warned that those who have corruptly benefited from the practices are going to pay and that no one will escape. President Boko emphasised that he will use his executive powers to enhance service delivery. He maintained that there is a way things should be done for them to work for Botswana. In a Kgotla meeting in Lerala last month, Boko emphaised the need to focus on getting things done efficiently for Batswana and choosing from the best companies. Boko said the past leadership has been slow in thinking. He said there is no time for talking, but action should be taken. Boko’s push for direct appointments comes at a time when already a South African Company, Moti Group, belonging to President Boko’s friend Zunaid Moti, wants a tender to build clinics and schools in Botswana. Moti financed the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC)’s 2019 General Election bid. In the proposal, the company, through its African Hero project, proposes to finish the million pula project in one–two months, 20 times faster than the current Botswana brick and mortar construction concept.