The tussle between the trio is not new as it dates back to last year when the CEO was suspended just six months into her contract. Initially, she was to be placed under a three-month suspension, but the suspension was further extended indefinitely on full pay. She was later reinstated to her position before being fired through a letter dated October 28, 2024 signed by the former minister. “Pursuant to Section 20 (5) (g) of the National Arts Council of Botswana Act, I have made a decision to remove you from the office of chief executive officer of the National Arts Council of Botswana with immediate effect,” the letter read in part.
Ellis has since dragged the NACB and the minister to court. In an explosive affidavit, she details that her only crime was questioning and refusing to sign off on flawed procurement and refusing corruption. “I wish at this point to reiterate that my employment relationship has been tumultuous. I serve a very hostile board and oversee subordinates that continuously collude with the said board and minister to sabotage me in executing my duties as well as breach policies and procedures in place especially in respect to procurement,” the CEO tells the court. Giving such an example of corruption, she says she was made aware of a direct appointment of a company to coordinate side events at the UNESCO conference that amounted to a staggering P259,040.
She says when she searched for the company’s details on the Companies Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) website, she found that the company did not exist and is not registered. “It became apparent that the director had attempted to defraud the 1st respondent (NACB) and the ministry funds over bogus services rendered by a non-existent authority. This was escalated to the board together with other issues of misconduct for disciplinary action have been escalated to the board with no action,” Ellis’ affidavit further read. Further giving examples, she says MYSC had requested her to disburse an amount of P250,000 for the support of the Miss Universe pageant to facilitate the queen to attend the international event. “
I halted this and requested supporting documentation including quotations, and names of people travelling to the pageant. It was then that grievances suddenly arose and I was terminated without just cause,” she said. She said her termination is because she has been intercepting attempts by the ministry and her staff to use public funds without proper procedures being followed. She said following her refusal to transfer funds without the proper procedure, Rakgare fired her. “This was a personal vendetta by the 2nd respondent (Rakgare) and motivated by malice and the intention to remove me from the way to enable further financial misconduct by himself and some members of my senior staff,” she said. It is further said that Ellis is a woman living in fear and has subsequently opened up a case with the serious crime after allegedly being subjected to harassment, death threats and invasion of privacy.
Who is Shombi Ellis? According to Shombi’s LinkedIn profile, Ellis previously worked for an international NGO operating out of 10 African countries. Her portfolio included providing regional oversight and overall management of reproductive maternal, newborn and child health programmes in Tanzania, Angola, Lesotho and South Africa on a $44 million total USAID award. Age: 49 Qualification: Masters - Public Sector Management and Development from Wits Business School
