BDP pays millions to Israeli company
Ntibinyane Ntibinyane | Friday August 29, 2014 15:28
While it was initially reported that the ruling party had engaged a discredited Israeli company, Nikuv International Projects, it has since turned out the company is Timor Consulting – another Israeli company linked to the feared Israeli intelligence organ Mossad.
Timor Consulting, headed by Adi Timor, is said to be more sophisticated and organised than Nikuv, say intelligence sources.
While Mmegi has not been able to trace the company’s record in Africa, it has managed election campaigns in Europe, South America and Israel. According to its website, the company has offices in London and Tel Aviv.
It is an open secret within the intelligence community that the BDP engaged the company sometime in June following recommendations by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). Sources say the DIS has previously engaged the company.
It is alleged that prior to the engagement, the company submitted an unfavorable report to president Ian Khama informing him the party would have it tough at the October 24 general election.
Insiders say the company had alleged the party would be humiliated at the polls for the first time in its history. The company reports exclusively to Khama, according to sources.
A senior party official told Mmegi the company offered to ensure the BDP wins the general elections by ‘hook or crook’.
Initially the company had requested to be paid more than $2 million but eventually settled for $1.5 million, after senior party officials cajoled it.
“We are not at a point where we want to be kicked out of power. In any case who wants to lose elections?” said a senior party official preferring anonymity.
While some BDP members have not ruled out the possibility of the company employing dirty tactics to rig elections, a senior party member said this week the company had advised the party leadership on how to handle the media, in particular private media.
The company also advised the BDP on how to win constituencies currently held by the opposition.
“They have advised that resources should be channeled to these constituencies. More resources will be channeled to these constituencies in the coming days,” said another BDP insider. Two week ago, Mmegi reported that the company was working around the clock to ensure the BDP attains a 70 percent of popular vote.
The opposition this week told Mmegi that they were worried that the company or anyone associated with the BDP may manipulate the voters’ roll to give the ruling party advantage.
They are already complaining that there are names missing from the voters’ roll.
Consultancy divides BDP
The appointment of the company was not without controversy. Following its appointment, some central committee members are said to have raised questions with the manner in which the company was appointed. Influential members were not happy that information about its engagement was kept from them. Only the president and few party members are familiar with the exact mandate of the company.
Members of the party’s Public Education and Election Committee (PEEC) also felt sidelined. PEEC has always played a crucial role during the general elections campaign. According to sources some PEEC members were left out by the company, which they say prefers to work with senior party members, and government intelligence officers.
Some PEEC members are said to have complained to the party leadership over the company’s campaign tactics.
The company is reported to be running the campaign from Tsholetsa house and hardly visits constituencies to appreciate the situation on the ground. “Unfortunately this is not how things are done in Botswana. In Europe or America you can plan a campaign from this so called war room, and achieve results but here you need to be on the ground,” said a BDP senior member.
Who pays for Timor?
Exactly who is footing the bill for Timor Consulting’s services? BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi told Mmegi that the party was paying the consultants, but refused to discuss the matter further as he claimed it was confidential. Sources have alleged that funds from DIS may have also been used to secure the services of the company.
“In a situation where everything is done in secret it is possible for DIS to channel funds to the BDP’s national campaign,” said a source.
Refusing to confirm Timor Consulting as the company engaged by the party, Balopi said contrary to reports of friction between the consultants and some BDP members, the company was currently doing an excellent job.
“They are adhering to the terms and conditions of the contract, we are happy with their performance and we are not bothered by those who are raising doubts over their performance,” he said.
Balopi also dismissed reports that the consultants were engaged to rig elections. He accused opposition of fuelling these allegations.
“Due to the nature of Botswana’s transparent electoral processes it is not easy to rig elections in Botswana,” he said. Balopi said the name of the consulting company would only be publicised after this year’s general elections.
When addressing a press conference on Tuesday this week, Independent Electorate Commission (IEC) secretary Gabriel Seeletso refuted allegations that IEC was working in cahoots with outside forces to rig elections.
Repeated efforts to talk to Timor Consulting officials including contacting the company offices in Tel Aviv and London were unsuccessful. The phones listed on the company websites rang unanswered for the last two days.