The birth of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) could in part be attributed to the labour unions, who have for a long time called for a united opposition that can dislodge the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. The idea and the impetus for forming the UDC came from the labour movement, specifically the Botswana Federation of Public, Private & Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) following the 2011 strike. Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a ‘siren’ on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement.
That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a ‘red flag’. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be…
