Mmegi

BCP shoots down Botswana‘s planned De Beers takeover

Pheko PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Pheko PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The main opposition, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), has strongly condemned the government’s planned De Beers takeover, implying the move could be a financial strain on the country at large.

This concern follows President Duma Doko’s announcement to the world on CNN that by the end of October 2025, Botswana would have concluded a deal with Anglo American that would raise the country’s stake in De Beers to more than 50%.

Using Anglo American's attached book value of $4.1billion to De Beers, it is reported that, assuming this is Anglo’s pricing, Botswana will have to raise at least $1.476 billion, approximately P19.63 billion, to acquire an extra 36% of the shareholding in De Beers.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

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