Category: Daily News

The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has dispatched a team of technical experts to Lesotho to help combat the country’s first-ever outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

BVI acting Chief Commercial Officer, Ms Keenese Katisenge-Tizhani, revealed in an interview on Tuesday that the mission involves collecting samples from affected areas for lab analysis to develop a fit-for-purpose vaccine  to curb spread of the disease

The mission also include a two-day training programme for Lesotho veterinary teams, equipping them with the latest knowledge and tools to tackle the outbreak, Ms Katisenge-Tizhani said.

“Ensuring that local veterinary teams are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and tools is essential for a sustained response,” she said.

Ms Katisenge-Tizhani noted that during the engagement, BVI experts would not only share new insights but also learn from how local teams were managing specific outbreaks, thereby strengthening regional animal health security.

Addressing long-term solutions, she said investing in local capacity building and technical support would help ensure sustainable control of Foot and Mouth Disease.

“Investing in local capacity building is key to sustainable FMD control,” she added.

Katisenge-Tizhani expressed confidence in the collaborative approach, saying it will yield positive results and contribute to successful mission execution. 

As the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) intensifies, several organisations demonstrated solidarity with the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) for FMD, donating resources worth over P2 million. 

Speaking at the handover ceremony, acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti assured the nation that his Ministry was taking every measure possible to fight against FMD. 

He expressed gratitude for the donations, noting that they have eased efforts in the battle against FMD. Dr Dikoloti noted that he was scheduled to meet with former soldiers and police officers at Good Hope Kgotla, who have expressed interest in contributing their skills to efforts aimed at combating FMD. 

He also highlighted that the European Union (EU) has not completely banned the export of beef from Botswana to EU markets, except for beef from particular zones such as Zone 3, Zone C and Zone 6B.  Dr Dikoloti shared that the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has in the past two days, slaughtered 665 cattle with another 550 EU eligible cattle envisaged for slaughter in the coming days. 

Deputy Permanent Secretary to the President (DPSP), Ms Matshediso Bokole said despite rising incidents of FMD in the North East region, efforts were underway to contain the disease from spreading further as agriculture remain one of the priority sectors and significant contributor to the GDP of Botswana. 

Ms Bokole said efforts to contain FMD were not confined to government alone as she extended gratitude for donations from the private sector, including a donation of 30,000 litres of diesel from Botswana Oil worth P488,400. 

Pinnacle Geomatics donated drone surveillance service worth P2 million, equipped with advanced thermal imaging capable of detecting movement in darkness or dull weather conditions. The drone is also fitted with speakers and a high-powered lens that can zoom across distances of 30km or more. 

Tswana Fuel donated 10,000 litres of diesel worth P162,800 while Agrizor donated 10 advanced solar powered agricultural sprayers with improved pump pressure and a durable battery with power to last up to eight hours, as well as an additional P5,000.

Government has commended Orange Botswana for its efforts to improve digital literacy in the country’s educational sector. 

Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Mr Justin Hunyepa officiated the handover ceremony of essential technology equipment to Selebi Phikwe Primary School and Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary School on Tuesday.

The donation included a digital kit comprising tablets, headsets and laptops to the primary school and a printer to the senior secondary school. Mr Hunyepa praised Orange Botswana for its commitment to enhancing education, saying it was a collective responsibility. 

He said Orange Botswana’s efforts indicated that enhancing education was a collective responsibility, saying the approach will facilitate the achievement of the desired goals for strong academic performance by learners, and will also motivate teachers to continue striving for excellence.

“The support from Orange Botswana is a vital step toward bridging the digital divide in the region and empowering the youth with skills essential for their academic and future professional pursuits,” Mr Hunyepa said.”

Orange Botswana’s Public Relations and Communication Manager, Ms Tebogo Nadisah, said the partnership with Selebi Phikwe Town Council demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating opportunities for the community.

Selebi Phikwe Mayor, Mr Oageng Makgosa, welcomed the donation, saying it would strengthen the efforts of learners and teachers and further enhance the town’s academic performance. 

Empowering women is crucial for national development, says acting Department of Gender Affairs officer, Mr Nelson Molapi during the commemoration of International Women’s Day for Women Police Officers in Francistown on Wednesday. 

Mr Molapi, said empowering women was about equal opportunities, not competition with men. He highlighted the importance of equal promotion and leadership opportunities, professional development and safe work environments for women police officers.

“For women police officers, empowerment includes equal opportunities for promotion and leadership and continuous professional development as well as safe and supportive workplace environments,” he said

Women in policing play a vital role in society, serving with courage and professionalism, and contributing to justice and public safety. Mr Molapi mentioned that the commemoration of International Women’s Day does not only remind the world of the great strides made in advancing the rights of women and girls but also reflects on work that still lies ahead.

He therefore encouraged women to support each other, mentor young girls, and promote respect and dignity in workplaces and homes.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Bonosi Molapisi, praised women police officers, citing their leadership, resilience, and networking abilities.  It is to this end, Assistant Commissioner Molapisi said women as agents of change, should believe in themselves so that they could continue to positively influence a larger spectrum of the society.

Pastor Melody Banda urged women to be bold, firm, and assertive, depending on God’s word to advance their cause. The International Women’s Day commemoration highlighted the progress made and work remaining in advancing women’s rights. The  event was celebrated under the theme: Give to Gain: Advancing Justice, Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls.

Due to continuous heavy downpours across the country, the North West district is experiencing a spike in waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria.

The district has recorded 448 cases of  diarrhoea and one death during the third quarter, of which 80 were with dehydration and 36 with blood in stools. This surge in diarrhoea cases is threatening the lives of children as some areas across the district are now hit by flooding.

The situation is reported to be worsened by poor hygiene, consuming inappropriate foods and failure to properly managed dehydration. The district also registered 56 cases of malaria and one death of a 76-year old man. Out of the cases three are children aged under five.

This transpired during a presentation of nutrition surveillance report to the District Disaster Management Committee. Apprising the committee, North West District Council community health nurse, Ms Cindrella Gaebowe revealed that the district experienced diarrhea cases every year especially when the Thamalakane River was flowing.

Shortage of clean drinking water from homes, she said was also a challenge as water was rationed, noting that lack of parental care especially by youth and teenage mothers exacerbated the situation.

“They often leave their children’s welfare under the guidance of their grannies due to overwhelming demands while some go to urban areas or entertainment areas,” she added.

Ms Gaebowe said efforts were made by health educators on prevention measures as well as encouraging mothers to boil water for drinking and to always wash hands before infant feeding. She also highlighted that there was possibility of increased severe underweight and wasting due to food insecurity issues by some families since they could not afford the three meals per day, and that there was no ration in health facilities.

The report indicated that the annual severe underweight stood at 0.4 per cent in 2023 due to inadequate dietary intake as some families were unable to secure enough food and lack of parental care. Cases of severe underweight were recorded at Thito Clinic with eight cases followed by Kubung with seven, and five in Kareng while Chanoga and Matlapana registered three cases each.

In 2024 and 2025, the district recorded 0.3 per cent and according to Ms Gaebowe, the annual total underweight prevalence rate remained at 1.7 per cent for those years attributing outbreak of diseases like diarrhea to the high underweight prevalence.

On other issues, it was reported that 57 suspected cases of rabies had been recorded and one case that resulted in death at Matlapana. There has been an outcry that unvaccinated stray or free-roaming dogs are the main source of rabies in humans.

In response, officials from the department of Veterinary Services announced that from next week, they would embark on a massive campaign to vaccinate dogs and cats in an effort to reduce the risk of rabies. The department has also taken a decision to kill all unvaccinated dogs roaming the streets as they pose danger to members of the community especially children.

“Cases of rabies are on the rise because every test we conduct in dogs, the results become positive and one person lost life because of rabies hence we want to intensify vaccination to reduce casualties.Increased wildlife exposure is also causing concern due to some areas proximity to protected areas as some animals fight for leftovers with dogs,” revealed Mr Marang Motlapele from the department of Veterinary Services. 

Registration for the Child Grant Programme has commenced in the North East district with more than 186 children already recorded in two weeks. 

North East District Council (NEDC)’s deputy Council Secretary – Operations, Mr Uyapo Mafunye said in an interview that the plan was to speed up the registration process and ensure that registration was completed by end of March in order to allow the programme to commence in April as intended. 

Prior to the take-off of registration, Mr Mafunye said the district council had undertaken consultations with the leadership of villages across the district with the view to help raise understanding and appreciation of the programme. 

Information about roll-out of the programme was disseminated through online platforms, announced during kgotla meetings and at clinics during morning health talks, he explained. 

Mr Mafunye said the Social and Community Development (S&CD) offices in villages in the district were serving as registration points and added that so far registration was progressing well. 

Regarding requirements that needed to be met for registering a child, he said the child must be under 12 months of age at the time of registration and be a Motswana. 

Further, he said a child’s primary caregiver should have stayed in the district for more than six months, a requirement that he explained was intended to avert people registering in more than one district. 

He said the other requirements included availing a child’s birth certificate as well as the caregiver providing proof that the child was legally under their care. 

Mr Mafunye said in cases where one of the parents was a foreigner, the child would still be eligible to benefit from the programme. 

On the possibility of the child grant being used for unintended purposes, he noted that it would be necessary to conduct periodic checks to certify that money was being used for the benefit of the children. 

“Social workers and other leaders will monitor the condition of children both at home and during monthly clinic visits,” he said, adding that anyone not using the money properly would be liable to legal action under the Children’s Act. 

On the other hand, he said the district would intensify public education and empower especially the girl child empowerment on the dangers of engaging in sexual activities at a tender age, particularly because of the possibility of teenage pregnancies rising due to young girls wanting to benefit from the programme.

Public servants in Tsabong have been called upon to be torchbearers of the new government’s vision by embracing digitalisation and demonstrating financial intelligence.

Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Ms Emma Peloetletse, said this during a high-level engagement with the public servants in Tsabong on Monday.

The meeting aimed to brief employees on national policies and gather crucial feedback from the frontline public services.

Under the inspiring theme: The District of Unique Opportunities, Ms Peloetletse urged the public servants to embrace digitalisation of the workforce.

“Let us embrace digitalisation. It should be utilised,” she declared, emphasising the critical shift away from outdated practices.

She further highlighted manual processes as inefficient, lacking an audit trail, and consuming valuable time and underscored the government’s commitment to modernising service delivery.

She also encouraged employees to find a unique ‘niche’ within their district and become ambassadors for Tsabong by promoting its potential and showcasing regional success stories.

The Permanent Secretary to the President also touched on issues around national economic policies and updated public servants about the National Development Plan 12 and the Botswana Economic

Transformation Programme, along with the status of the national economy.

The dire economic situation, she relayed, demanded that individual workers reinforce individual responsibility in fiscal management.

However, the session was not without candid feedback from the public servants themselves. Several pressing issues, such as staff shortages and overstaying, formed part of the impending issues the workforce was grappling with.

 Public servants also pleaded with the government to address the dilapidated accommodation as well as the acute shortage of staff housing to ensure their well-being was taken care of.

Gaborone City councillors have welcomed government plans to establish a Constitutional Court, saying the move will strengthen protection of human rights and improve access to justice in Botswana.

Speaking during a council meeting addressed by Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa on Monday, councillors said the proposed court would help safeguard the rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups.

Nominated Councillor, Ms Katlego Morolong said the proposed court would provide protection of rights and strengthen checks and balances within the governance system.

She noted that about 85 countries across five continents, including Zambia, had Constitutional Courts.

“That shows that we are treading the right path and are a progressive nation. We should not depart from this path,” she said.

Councillor for Marulamantsi Ward in Bonnington South Constituency, Mr Sergeant Kgosietsile, welcomed ConCourt establishment, saying the move would help safeguard second and third generation human rights and contributed to a progressive constitutional order.

He therefore urged citizens to support its establishment in the interest of justice and national development.

Kgosi Arnold Somolekae of Gaborone West Customary Court and an ex-officio member of the council also endorsed the establishment of the Constitutional Court, saying it would handle specialised constitutional matters, including cases that might not be heard by the Court of Appeal.

He said the court would help ensure access to human rights protection, especially for vulnerable citizens, adding that specialised courts were necessary because the High Court of Botswana already handled both civil and criminal matters, often resulting in backlogs.

Kgosi Somolekae cited the landmark housing rights case in South Africa, Government of the Republic of South Africa vs Grootboom (2000), which compelled the state to provide housing for vulnerable communities.

He also reassured residents that the Constitutional Court would not automatically abolish the death penalty, explaining that the court would instead assess cases based on constitutional principles and individual circumstances.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Constitutional matters that are delayed amount to justice denied,” he said, adding that the court would be established through an Act of Parliament specifying how judges would be appointed.

However, Phakalane Ward councillor, Mr Kaisara Sejoe, opposed the proposal, arguing that the minister had not clearly identified gaps within the judiciary that justified the creation of a new court

He also questioned whether proper constitutional amendment procedures had been followed, saying broader grassroots consultation through the kgotla system was necessary.

Mr Sejoe further raised concerns about the appointment of judges, arguing that vesting such powers in the sitting President could undermine judicial independence.

Addressing councillors, Minister Mohwasa said government intended to protect every citizen’s right to life and dignity through the proposed court.

He revealed that following the All-Party Conference of July 4, 2025, government published a notice in the Botswana Gazette regarding the Constitutional Court proposal.

The minister said the Ntlo ya Dikgosi had not rejected the proposal but recommended amendments to some clauses, prompting further consultations, which could take time to conclude.

He noted that constitutional amendments were not new in Botswana and said the proposed court would help restore dignity, improve livelihoods, provide refuge for individuals who lost cases on technicalities, and guide future law reforms.

He added that specialised judicial bodies already existed, such as the Land Tribunal and Industrial Court, and emphasised that the Constitutional Court would similarly focus on constitutional matters while expanding access to justice for ordinary citizens.

Kang residents have expressed mixed reactions to government’s proposal to establish a Constitutional Court, with some welcoming the move as a long-overdue step toward equality and access to justice, and others urging authorities to prioritise constitutional reforms and economic recovery.

Residents expressed these sentiments at a Constitutional Court consultative kgotla meeting which was addressed by the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi in Kang on Monday.

Those in support said the court could help address long-standing concerns of marginalisation in the Kgalagadi region, where ethnic groups had historically been regarded and treated as minority communities.

They argued that locating the court in Kang would promote equitable distribution of national resources and decentralisation of key institutions, which were largely concentrated in the southern part of the country.

One resident, who supported the establishment of ConCourt was Mr Kemmone Makatane, who said such a move would strengthen citizens’ rights and enable communities to benefit more directly from natural resources in their areas.

“In countries where there is a Constitutional Court, citizens are able to benefit from their natural resources. This could create opportunities for tribes in mining areas to benefit from the mines in their districts, unlike the current situation where government benefits while local communities receive no royalties,” he said.

Mr Makatane added that such a court would provide recourse for citizens to hold government accountable for service delivery in sectors such as health, education and development.

Meanwhile, other residents called on government to halt the process and instead focus on amending the Constitution or strengthening the Court of Appeal pending a comprehensive constitutional review.

Mr Mautswe Mabe questioned how the proposed court would deal with sensitive issues such as intermarriages and capital punishment, while Mr Abel Phori challenged the urgency of the proposal in light of the country’s economic challenges.

He said the establishment of the court would be costly and could create further financial obligations through judges’ remuneration and administrative expenses.

Some residents also called for assurances that the ConCourt’s decisions would not conflict with Christian principles, particularly on issues such as same-sex marriage.

Responding to the concerns, Minister Ramogapi, said the proposal was not being rushed and had been the subject of consultations under previous administrations.

He noted that during the presidency of Dr Festus Mogae consultations were conducted to assess the need for a Constitutional Court, while the Dibotelo Commission established under former president Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi also found that there was a need for such a court, although it was not implemented.

Mr Ramogapi said the ConCourt would be particularly beneficial to communities in Kgalagadi, which he said had experienced marginalisation and discrimination.

He explained that a Constitutional Court would be the highest authority on constitutional matters, with its rulings being final, and its primary role would be to protect human rights and shield citizens from abuse of power.

Mr Ramogapi also mentioned that Botswana currently had no dedicated forum to address disputes such as alleged irregularities in general elections, a gap the proposed court would fill.

On suggestions to empower the Court of Appeal instead, he said many countries were moving toward establishing Constitutional Courts as specialised institutions for constitutional interpretation.

He dismissed allegations that government had already planned for this proposal, adding that, so far, no land had yet been identified and no funds secured for the project.

Mr Ramogapi noted that its establishment was not currently provided for under the National Development Plan and would only proceed if citizens supported the proposal.

On that note, he implored the residents to vote for the establishment of the ConCourt when the referendum process was undertaken.

For her part, Kgosi Basadi Seipone II expressed optimism that the proposed Constitutional Court would promote peace, unity and equal protection of the law across the country.

She said the timing of the initiative was appropriate, noting that the court would help emancipate many people by strengthening the protection of their constitutional rights.

Kgosi Seipone II emphasised that the Constitution required a specialised body to interpret and safeguard it, adding that the establishment of a Constitutional Court would ensure that dedicated experts were entrusted with handling constitutional matters.

She commended the government for taking the initiative, saying the court would be particularly beneficial to communities that had experienced marginalisation.

Community engagement has become a vital strategy in addressing the recent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. 

The Serule West Farmers Association has taken the lead in rallying local farmers to protect their livestock by undertaking maintenance of the disease control fence along the Sese and Thalamabele veterinary gates. 

At a time when disease outbreaks threaten both rural incomes and the national economy, the association’s coordinated response demonstrates how collective action can help prevent the spread of animal diseases, particularly in resource-constrained environments.

Farmers have volunteered labour, tools and transport to repair and maintain the disease-control fence stretching from the Sese veterinary gate to the Thalamabele gate near Masenyane cattle post.

The maintenance work, divided among four teams, covers about 160 kilometres and is expected to significantly strengthen disease containment.

Speaking during the maintenance exercise, the association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Thapelo Olopeng stressed that community participation was essential during national crises.

“Community engagement in serious challenges like the FMD outbreak in a country such as Botswana, facing financial constraints and limited overtime resources, is very crucial,” he said.

He noted that members also contributed P50 each to provide meals during the two-day operation, illustrating the revival of self-reliance within the farming community.

Mr Olopeng said the association also intended  to approach donors to assist in purchasing a patrol vehicle that would help monitor the fence daily and address challenges posed by wildlife, particularly elephants, which often damage the barrier.

He explained that uncontrolled livestock movement between zones around Tonota and Serowe threatens cattle supplies destined for the Botswana Meat Commission, making fence integrity a national economic priority.

Meanwhile, Acting District Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Kenneth Mabote warned that vandalising the disease-control fence was a serious offence punishable by law, adding that offenders may be required to repair damaged sections at their own cost.

Despite the warning, he commended the community for taking responsibility for maintaining the fence using their own resources.

The maintenance follows the outbreak whose epicentre was identified near Jackalas No.1. Local authorities, Tonota and Serowe District Council chairpersons, Messrs Neo Sefhume and Atamelang Thaga said additional measures were underway, with district leadership planning to engage Ipelegeng workers for bush clearing along the fence line.

Government has also committed P97 million towards vaccination and logistics to contain the outbreak in Zone 6b.

The initiative stands as a reminder that when communities unite around a common threat, their shared knowledge, labour and commitment can play a decisive role in protecting both livelihoods and the national cattle industry.