27 Jul 2026

Parliament has rejected a motion requesting government to institute a commission of inquiry on allegations of maladministration, financial embezzlement, insider trading, corruption, abuse of political power and abuse of office on community-based organisations (CBOs) by Technical Advisory Committees and trustees from 2014 to 2024.

The motion tabled by MP for Chobe, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga sought a resolution from the house to request the President who holds the sole power to do so, to set up the commission to investigate issues of poor governance and corruption practices that had crippled community based organisations.

Commenting on the motion, some Members of Parliament argued that Parliament had no powers to set up the commission of enquiry as the CBOs were established and registered as trusts under the Trust Property and Control Act.

They stated that they were equally concerned with issues of maladministration and corruption among community trusts as it was clear that the board of trustees were benefiting at the expense of the communities.

The MPs insisted that the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Act was the best tool to address issues of governance and ensure beneficiation among the communities.

While he sympathised with the mover of the motion, Specially Elected MP and Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware underscored the need to comply with the acts in place including the one that governed CBOs.

In addition, he said it would be costly for the government to investigate 173 registered CBOs, suggesting that instead of setting up a commission of inquiry, it was best for the mover of the motion to redefine it as there was already an act that had stringent measures to stop fraud, maladministration and funds embezzlement among others.

He also called for amendment of the Trust Property and Control Act, which regulate the control of trusts to ensure it benefited Batswana.

Francistown South MP and also Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi also conceded that his ministry had no powers to set up a commission of inquiry on CBOs or community trusts as that task lay with the President.

He acknowledged that the community trusts have shifted from their mandate, citing that the CBRNM programme, which aimed to ensure beneficiation and improved livelihoods as well as sustainable natural resource was not achieving its objective due to poor governance and funds mismanagement among trusts.

Such issues, he said, had prompted the development of the CBNRM Act, noting that the ministry had also established the CBNRM department to address the challenges at hand and ensure the smooth implementation of the Act.

“We have finalised the CBNRM regulations and by January next year, each trust will be aligned with the act and failure to do so will deactivate its operation. Once all are aligned with the act, the ministry will conduct an audit in each trust to provide an objective evaluation on financial records, ensure accuracy and restore trust with the public,” Mr Mmolotsi said.

Mr Mmolotsi further noted that the audit would also help to unearth issues of maladministration and bring justice.

Palapye MP and also Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi stated that the motion was on point as there was an outcry of poor governance among community trusts but concurred that the CBNRM Act that commenced last year would be an answer to the challenges at hand.

He also contended that the house had no powers to institute the commission of inquiry as there was an existing legal instrument that regulated community trusts, adding that the planned audit exercise by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism would provide a solution to the issues mentioned by the mover of the motion. ENDS 

Earlier, Mr Mapulanga stated that the motion called for investigation on issues of corruption, financial misuse and maladministration that were rife among community trusts.

He cited that there were a lot of complaints from the communities as they viewed board of trustees and Technical Advisory Committees with suspicion because the trusts were generating millions but the communities were crippled by poverty while a few benefited.

Trusts, he said were also wasting communities’ funds on court cases, arguing that the commission of inquiry was ideal to protect the interests of the communities and ensure they benefited from the natural resources within their localities.

Mr Mapulanga appreciated the CBNRM programme, which intended to empower communities and ensure sustainable development while also conserving natural resources sustainably, but he said it was not the case and with the commission of inquiry as it aimed to promote good governance and effective utilisation of community funds. ENDS