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.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...