DIAMONDS AND DOLLARS: The obscure transactions of the sparkling industry
Extensive financial transactions between De Beers sightholder Julius Klein Group, its subsidiary Julius Klein Botswana and De Beers Global Sightholders Sales (Botswana) give a rare and fascinating glimpse into the diamond industry’s flow of capital, documents obtained by BuzzFeed and shared with International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and INK Centre for Investigative Journalism reveal.
Masisi awarded prime Banyana Farm
INK reporters
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been awarded a government farm – even though his bid did not meet the brief. Masisi had been accused of acting unethically and flouting procurement rules by seeking to rent a large portion of state owned Banyana Farms.
Inside the secret world of US commandos in Africa
United States Special Operations forces (SOF) — including Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and Marine Corps Raiders — are the US military’s most highly trained soldiers, specialising in counterterrorism, counter-insurgency, and “direct action” combat raids, among other missions. Their operations are shrouded in secrecy.
Botswana is landlocked, but is still exporting shark fins
Botswana has no coastline, yet it is still exporting shark fins worth P17 million (R24 million) to neighbouring countries, including South Africa, according to the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the UN’s Comtrade database.
356 elephants die from a mysterious disease in Botswana
Botswana elephants continue to die in large numbers from a mysterious disease in the wildlife rich areas of the Okavango Delta.
BPF on a path to end Masisi greed – Guma Moyo
In a candid questions and answers interview, former Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairman, Samson Moyo Guma discusses the most pressing issues affecting the country. He is clearly taken aback by what he sees as tribalistic tendencies by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and is scathing about BDP seeming lack of competent leaders. He says his new party, the BPF will stop BDP victory in 2024. He spoke to INK Centre for Investigative Journalism Editor, Joel Konopo.
Masisi under scrutiny over Banyana Farm tender
The latest muddy knot on a farm may show President Masisi to be a man more rapacious than popular opinion holds, Joel Konopo, Calistus Bosaletswe and Ntibinyane Ntibinyane investigate.
Masisi’s questionable business dealings
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has business interest in at least 10 companies with several highly connected businessmen of Indian origin, including controversial businessman and Choppies Chief Executive Officer, Ramachandran “Ram” Ottapathu, according to details gleaned from the Companies and Intellectual Properties Authority.
Human rights group: Hungry Zimbabwe refugees forced out by Botswana
“Our food has long finished. I have no money and I am contemplating to go back like others, because I will die of hunger here,” said one refugee.
By Calistus Bosaletswe
Is Malaria response sidelined during Covid-19?
Kago Komane
While the world is preoccupied with fighting Covid-19, this year nine Batswana have tragically died from Malaria in the past few months, raising fears the situation might spiral out of control.
