COVID-19 doses stolen from the poor and lavished on the elite

Last year, I posited that the reason why government cannot deal comprehensively with the poultry industry bullying, of small scale farmers, by dominant players, was because of state capture.

After complaining about the bullying, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, went on national television to say that, “re kgerisa other Batswana”, which meant that the bullies were being bullied. We are back, to the same subject.

We were shocked over the past two days with revelations that the elite had made themselves a special dispensation, out of public resources, to save their own lives whilst our poor parents perished in the villages. Surely, there are not enough vaccines for Batswana generally, including those with underlying conditions. But alas, there are enough vaccines for a special category referred to by the Assistant Minister of Health, as “bagolo”. This ‘bagolo’ category, does not include your parents and my parents.

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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