Diamond deal demands transparency

Instead, it has sparked a storm of accusations, denials, and unresolved questions about the influence of De Beers on the nation’s politics. Former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s claims that the diamond giants bankrolled his removal to dodge taxes – and that the new Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government watered down a favourable diamond deal – are explosive matters. But without evidence, they risk becoming a toxic distraction from the real issue: the need for transparency in Botswana’s most vital industry.

Masisi’s allegations are undeniably serious. He asserts that De Beers, angered by his government’s tough negotiating stance, funded opposition campaigns to secure a “political settlement” on tax terms.