mmegi

Farmers bay for BMC blood

The BMC purchases cattle in Ngamiland at P31/kg
The BMC purchases cattle in Ngamiland at P31/kg

MAUN: Against a backdrop of crippling late payments, farmers have been calling for punitive measures against the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC).

The state-owned abattoir had lately outdone itself with most payments for the cattle that were sold in April/May only paid for in November.

Prominent farmer and former chairman of North West Integrated Farmers Association (NWIFA), Simon Bojosi has suggested that should the BMC continue with late payments, interest and other surcharges must be levied on the parastatal. He argued that parastatals, and indeed other government departments should see the livestock sector for what it is – a business. “And business sells goods and services so that they can continue to be in business. Now if you fail to pay for my goods, you’re effectively putting me out of business,” he reasoned.

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...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up