Auditor General uncovers wastage on digital migration
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Thursday June 12, 2025 10:20
Whilst Botswana’s transition from analogue to digital was not a smooth process with controversy around it, the AG’s report has raised additional concerns relating to tendering and unnecessary wastage. Amongst other concerns that the AG’s report raises are contract additions that were done without approval, time overruns without any charges levied for that period, direct appointments of suppliers that were done without any reason, contract variation, as well as unutilised equipment.
According to the report, a tender for digital terrestrial television was awarded at a contract sum of over P53 million for a period of 10 months beginning October 2014 to August 2015. After the award, the department changed the scope of work, reducing the digital broadcasting sites from 48 to 45 and diesel generators from 48 to 35. The report notes that while these alterations should have reduced the contract sum by P534, 242.55, the contract sum was never adjusted. Instead, additional items were added to the contract to utilise the “savings”, without any evidence of approval. Furthermore, the contractor was expected to complete the project by August 22, 2015, but was awarded an extension of 60 days to October 22, 2015.
However, the report notes that the project was only completed on March 3, 2016, five months after the revised timeline. “At the time of the audit, the final account had not been prepared. The contract agreement Clause 17.1 stipulated that any delays in the delivery of the project should attract liquidated damages amounting to 1% of the contract monthly, but no charge was levied for the period that was not approved for extension,” reads the report. The AG also raised concern about a situation whereby various contractors were directly appointed to carryout different engagements contrary to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPAD) Act. The contractors were appointed to amongst other things, supply and commissioning of the remote control system for radio transmitter at Botswana Television at a cost of P5. 76 million (b) supply, installation and commissioning of 96 digital exciters for Television Analogue Transmitters at a contract sum of P20. 85 million (c) upgrading of the cooling systems at Radio and Television Transmitter stations at a contract sum of P3.29 million. The AG questioned the direct appointments, which she states she was never furnished with the reasons for the appointments.
In another issue, the AG noted an incident in which there was a contract variation that resulted in a contract sum rising from P5 million to P7 million. “An enquiry as to why the remote control system contract was awarded at P7.07 million whereas it was quoted at P5.80 million as per the Public Procurement and Asset Disposable Board (PPADB) form 1a (record of Bbd opening) did not elicit any plausible explanation,” reads the report. Additionally, the AG found that while the government spent millions on acquiring the remote control system, there were several components of the remote control system which were not utilised, un-serviced and abandoned. The report indicates that the remote control system was not in use, and its maintenance was not carried out according to schedule. The report read: “The digital exciters supplied in 2015 had not been installed and commissioned. The exciters and control units were still in boxes, except for the Maun and Ghanzi sites. The equipment had passed the warranty period, which could lead to obsolescence and theft. Moreover, the AG raised alarm about pressure units acquired at a cost of P3.47 million, which were not functioning. It was found that the pressure units were switched off as they were not compatible with the cooling system, indicating a wasteful expenditure.