Lies, deceit, double-cross as BMC P40m saga deepens

The BMC is facing seizure of its assets over a P40m debt
The BMC is facing seizure of its assets over a P40m debt

Former Parliament speaker, Patrick Balopi alleges his namesake, the Agriculture Minister, Patrick Ralotsia duped him into releasing some of the assets legally seized from the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) due to a P40 million debt, while the two were holding talks on an out-of-court settlement.

The explosive allegations are contained in Balopi’s submissions to the High Court made on Wednesday. Balopi, also a former Cabinet minister, alleges that the Agriculture minister made good faith representations, saying the matter between Balopi’s company, Walgreen Investments and the BMC should be resolved amicably and without resort to courts.

Deputy sheriffs recently seized perishable and movable assets from the BMC in Lobatse, also freezing the parastatal’s main account, due to the P40 million debt owed to Walgreen for outstanding feedlot services. Balopi’s attorney, Tebogo Tladi on Wednesday filed papers before court opposing the BMC recent award of a stay of execution, in the matter in which the assets were seized from the parastatal’s Lobatse headquarters.

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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