12 Jul 2013

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Christiaan De Graaff is on the list of witnesses that have been summoned by the Parliamentary Select Committee on the enquiry of the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC).

The chairperson of the committee and MP for Ngwaketse West, Mr Mephato Reatile confirmed in an interview that Minister De Graaff would testify sometime next week.

Most of the witnesses who testified before the committee had accused Mr De Graaff, who is also MP for Ghanzi South, of meddling in the running of the national abattoir, which directly falls under the supervision of his ministry. His assistant and MP for Tswapong South, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi would also testify before the committee.

The committee, which was appointed early this year, was also tasked to investigate the decline in the beef industry in general following the closure of the abattoir for failing to adhere to the European Union (EU) beef requirements. ENDS