Ex-BAMB CEO laughs off nepotism allegations

Morakaladi
Morakaladi

Former Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) chief executive officer (CEO), Leonard Morakaladi has dismissed a whistle-blower report that was filed with BAMB board and later copied to the Office of the President (OP) as a smear campaign meant to tarnish his name.

Morakaladi, who was fired under dubious circumstances, said he was aware of the report and at its first appearance two years ago, there was supposed to be an investigation into the allegations. “While I was happy to have these allegations investigated in order to clear my name together with my Executive Committee (EXCOM), I had an issue with the person leading the investigations as she was highly conflicted,” Morakaladi said, but declined to name the individual. “The person was a board member and not only did she want the investigations done, she also had her own private investigators that she appointed with a price tag of P250, 000,” he could only say.

Morakaladi noted that, “the board member was not interested in using a state agency which would do the job at no fee”. It is alleged that the P250, 000  was to be paid by BAMB and the board member wanted a company of her choice, which never tendered to do the private investigation. Morakaladi questioned why not use the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) or the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS).

Editor's Comment
Justice delayed is development denied

The P300 million internal roads tender is a case study. A bidder’s complaint revealed alleged irregularities. A tribunal ordered a re-evaluation.The council and the initial winner appealed to the High Court. Now, the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, frustrated by the delay, writes to the council suggesting the tender be cancelled, and an alternative procurement model be explored, while the matter is still before the courts....

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