Mmegi

GIA: The obscure fund that impacted an election

Heart of the matter: The Finance Ministry was in the news more than usual this year, as diamonds sank into a protracted slump
Heart of the matter: The Finance Ministry was in the news more than usual this year, as diamonds sank into a protracted slump

Of the various debate issues that dominated the election, the Government Investment Account and its performance, came from the recesses of the fiscus and became a ‘trending topic’ in many voters’ minds. MBONGENI MGUNI reports

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.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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