BTO spins web of mystery around tourism levy
Thursday, November 30, 2017

Yesterday, Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism permanent secretary (PS), Jimmy Opelo told legislators, who are part of a Parliamentary body on Statutory Bodies, that the ministry had cancelled its contract with the UK company.
Moments later, much to the MPs’ surprise, BTO acting chief executive officer, Zibanani Hubona said the contract was still in existence. The discord highlights the confusion that has reigned in the Ministry and the BTO in the attempts to introduce the $30 levy, which, by some estimates, was to reap billions of pula for the country.
It seems some government accounting officers, sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing else but the truth" before Almighty God, may have deliberately lied during the committee’s vital work. If proven, this is not merely unprofessional; it is perjury, a serious criminal offence and it strikes at the very heart of responsible government.The PAC’s role is fundamental. After each financial year, it painstakingly examines how public...