Botswana Roundup: Botswana-Zimbabwe relations, fire, diamond certification

Cop thieves

Two police officers and two civilians are facing the law over the alleged theft of US$ 4,000 from a Chinese national. According to local news platform The Voice, the officers Leatile Scotch and Tshidiso Serero both from the Francistown Central Police Station allegedly robbed the victim Liya Wu on February 6, along the Blue Jacket Street together with their civilian accomplices Edwin Othusitse and Themba Bagai. They voluntarily handed over themselves to the police after learning they were wanted. The four were granted bail of 2,000 Pula (US$146) by the Francistown Magistrates Court on February 12 and were asked to present two sureties each.

Trade relations

Botswana and Zambia have settled on plans to form the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA) aimed at enhancing global trade and investment between both countries. Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the authority’s headquarters will be based in Botswana with a Zambian national as its Chief Executive Officer. The authority will ensure the operation and maintenance of the bridge as well as transform the Kazungula One Stop Border Post into a preferred facility for travellers. The Kazungula Bridge is a road and rail bridge over the Zambezi River that lies between Zambia and Botswana at the town of Kazungula, Daily News reports.

Diamond certification

Botswana’s Minister of Finance Peggy Serame has said the imposed certification of diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium is a threat to the benefits Botswana can get from its diamonds. According to her, the decision by the G7 countries to streamline the certification of diamonds will diversely impact the country’s economy. “There are several risks which, if not mitigated can reverse some of the macro-fiscal gains achieved so far. These include risks in the diamond sector stemming from weak economic activity in the major trading economies. Risks in the diamond sector, particularly in the beneficiation sub-sector will also be worsened by the G7 plan to verify the origin of non-Russian goods through diamond certification in Antwerp, Belgium. This may adversely affect the country’s ability to accumulate foreign exchange reserves and Government revenue,” Serame was quoted by local news outlet The Sunday Standard.

 Zimbabwe and Botswana relations

Zimbabwe President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has left his Botswana counterpart, Botswana’s President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi following the conclusion of the 4th session of Botswana- Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) that was held in Maun in Northern Botswana. President Dr Mnangagwa invited President Mokgweetsi Masisi to attend the 5th Session of the BNC scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe next year, Daily News reports.

Fire disaster

A three-month-old twin baby died in a fire disaster in the Goodhope village in Botswana. According to details of the incident which was reported on February 9, the fire occurred in the morning while the twins slept alongside their six-year-old cousin who was awake. Their mother, 17 years old was outside washing while her grandmother was away working. Upon hearing screams she fetched water to extinguish and called her grandmother without checking if the fire was completely out. The other twin survived with the six-year-old, The Voice reported.