11 Jul 2021

MPs have welcomed the Diamond Cutting Amendment Bill that Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi tabled before Parliament recently.

The bill seeks to amend the Diamond Cutting Act that regulates manufacturin Botswana to stimulate downstream activities.

The Vice President, also MP for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane stated that the proposed amendments were in line with government’s move towards economic inclusion. Mr Tsogwane said Batswana would benefit more in the much-needed jobs that would come along with diamond beneficiation activities.

He said the envisaged diamond beneficiation activities aligned well with the knowledge-based economy concept and President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s ‘reset’ blueprint that advocated unlocking of business opportunities through value chain development.

Molepolole South MP, Mr Kabo Morwaeng also welcomed the bill, stating that it would improve the diamond industry and empower Batswana.

Mr Balopi lauded government for prudent use of diamond proceeds, which he said contributed primarily to the development of the country. 

Maun West MP and Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando expressed concern that the bill was not specific on the number of envisaged jobs that the country had been exporting.

He also expressed reservations that the bill did not state how the business had been operating especially regarding expenditure associated with setting up of such industries.

Mr Saleshando said he was also uneasy at the notion that Botswana did not embrace the Industries Transparency I Initiative peer review. 

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga raised concern that the new law would disadvantage people with previous criminal records, especially those who fell victim to their youthful exuberance. 

Mr Kapinga said some criminal offences were minor to be included in the bill.

Instead, he suggested that more focus should be on people who were convicted for crimes related to precious stones, fraud or other serious criminal offences that could harm the economy.

Mr Kapinga, however hailed some of the proposed amendments such as awarding people with technical expertise in the industry licences. 

Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana said the bill was appropriate in that it would afford Batswana an opportunity to partake in the resource that their country was endowed with.

However, Mr Nkawana also raised concern that Batswana were always at the tail end of the diamond value chain, something he argued the bill should remedy. 

He also observed that several mining industries were not able to convince buyers that they complied with environmental safety standards as a prerequisite for purchasing the stones.

Good Hope-Mabule MP, Mr Eric Molale stated that the bill would ensure proliferation of subsidiary diamond industries hence creation of more jobs. 

He said the bill was on the right course for ensuring the Economic Transformation Recovery Plan succeeded. 

Mr Molale added that the bill would also ensure domestication of diamonds and value addition.

MP for Lerala-Maunatlala, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele said 60 per cent of the youth could be employed through beneficiation of the diamond industry value chain. 

He welcomed the bill given the diamond industry was the country’s economic backbone and would benefit more from beneficiation. ends