25 Feb 2020

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning says Bank of Botswana property management division is headed by a citizen of New Zealand who is deputised by three Batswana.

Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday Dr Thapelo Matsheka said the incumbent had been employed by the central Bank for 19 years holding different posts.

He also explained that the incumbent had a Bachelor of Engineering obtained in 1982 from the University of New Zealand.

He said the position was previously localised but for variety of reasons, including staff movements, plans did not materialise as expected.

He said the bank had been able to recruit citizens with relevant qualifications to be groomed as potential successors.

He further said the bank was monitoring their performance and readiness for higher levels of responsibility, including breadth and depth of leadership in a multifunctional role.

Dr Matsheka said as soon as satisfactory progress and performance were established, the position would be localised.

On the role of the procurement and property division, the minister said it was responsible for providing modern, cost-effective procurement, development, pro-active maintenance and management of the bank’s assets.

That, he said incorporated estate management, project management, facilities management and supply chain management.

Further, Dr Matsheka said the division was divided into three units responsible for projects, property and maintenance and supplies. 

The project unit, he said was responsible for major capital projects, the property and maintenance unity was responsible for general facilities management including management of plant and equipment, small projects, gardens, cleaning and basic repairs.

The supplies unit, he said was responsible for general bank procurement, storage and distribution of consumables and furniture and equipment including maintenance of the bank’s fixed assets register.

He indicated that the procurement and property management division had 53 staff members, out of which 11 were professionals.

Dr Matsheka also noted that the foreigner who headed it, prior to joining the bank, worked for 14 years as an engineer in project management.

He said he was managing director for five years of a company which specialised in project management and civil engineering.

Also, he said the incumbent worked as a civil engineer for three years and as site agent for three years with reputable companies, which built bridges, major water reticulation schemes, piling and demolition works.

He also worked for three years as site engineer in England on a major road construction project, refurbishment of a historically-listed building and in construction of a high steel structure building.

Dr Matsheka was responding to a question from Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse who wanted to know what the property management division of BoB did, who headed it, citizenship and their qualification.   

MP Keorapetse further asked the time the incumbent had spent as head of the division. Ends