According to a report dated January 13, BEMA carried out the visits to assess industry readiness, compliance with the school uniform import restriction policy, and to investigate complaints previously reported to the association. The report was submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship. Before the inspections, BEMA received multiple reports alleging the smuggling of restricted school uniform products, fronting by local citizens on behalf of non-citizens, poor product quality, overpricing, and the operation of staged manufacturing facilities that allegedly import finished uniforms.
These concerns were particularly reported in Francistown and Gaborone. As reported elsewhere in this publication, the country’s school uniform industry is being shaken by widespread smuggling, fronting and deceit.This is not just a business issue, but a direct attack on a national policy designed to build Botswana’s own economy and protect Batswana jobs.We call on the Ministry of Education, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), the Police and all relevant bodies to take immediate and decisive action to…
