Conflict of Interest

Botswana News:

The Minister of Justice, Defence and Security in Botswana has recently been caught up in a conflict of interest scandal. This comes about after it has been realised that for the past two years, tenders worth P1.1 million from his ministry have been awarded RFT Botswana (Pty) Ltd, which is a company owned by the Minister's wife.

He was quoted saying:

"The first tender for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of Aviation Ground Support Equipment to the Botswana Police, was awarded at the tender sum of P509, 300. The second tender, being for the purchase of Covert Surveillance Equipment for the Botswana Defence Force, was awarded at a tender sum of P591,195. The tenders were awarded on the July 28, 2008 and September 18, 2008 respectively,".

All the above-mentioned security departments directly fall under his ministry.

The minister has in the past said he sees nothing wrong in his wife's company winning tenders from the ministry he heads, stating that there is no conflict of interest.

My View

I feel that this is a conflict of interest because although he is not a director in the company, his closest relative being his spouse is owner and director in the company. I think that all ministers should declare their assets alongside those of their spouses or close relatives before they can assume office in the ministry. This case brings about the issue of whether or not these tenders were awarded based on merit or if they were just awarded based on that the company belongs to the minister's wife.....

keep tuned to my blog for a follow-up on this story