GIA: The obscure fund that impacted an election
Friday, November 01, 2024 | 1390 Views |
Heart of the matter: The Finance Ministry was in the news more than usual this year, as diamonds sank into a protracted slump
Earlier in the year, President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the ruling party seemed headed for an untroubled second term, with a popular suite of policies and the record P102 billion budget anchoring the president’s campaign.
However, by mid-year, the downturn in diamonds became prolonged, eating into the budget plans, forcing accelerated drawdowns on savings and causing murmurs of concern amongst those tracking the numbers.
More than P8.1 million has already been spent, yet there appears to be no lasting solution in sight. This is not simply a dispute between the DIS and a group of officers. It is a matter of public accountability. Every pula spent by government comes from taxpayers who expect public funds to be used wisely and responsibly, especially during economic hardships faced by many.The officers exercised their constitutional right to seek justice through...