A BHC board’s letter to Minister Ramogapi outlining governance and leadership concerns was followed by its sudden dissolution, amid tensions over directives, recruitment delays and procurement issues
GAZETTE REPORTER
A letter intended to update the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Onneetse Ramogapi, on governance, procurement and leadership matters at the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) instead became the final communication before the board was dissolved, according to documents before the High Court.
The correspondence, written on 4 June by Board Chairperson Boitsheko Ntshingane, detailed progress on issues discussed during a 1 June meeting with ministry officials, including the Kgale Project, corporate governance concerns, recruitment of a substantive chief executive, and implementation of ministerial directives.
However, by the following day, BHC announced that the minister had dissolved the board with immediate effect, ending its tenure abruptly. The provisions allow the minister to remove board members when reasons appear to warrant such action. However, no specific reasons for the dissolution were disclosed in the announcement.
GOVERNANCE TENSIONS EMERGE
In the letter, the board raised concerns over what it described as frequent directives issued to management without adherence to established governance structures.
“Management is often issued at times with directives for implementation by the Corporation without following the established BHC governance structures,” the letter stated.
The board said this approach risked undermining statutory processes and requested a meeting with Ramogapi to establish a clearer reporting framework that would preserve its independence while ensuring accountability to the ministry.
“The Board would therefore like to meet the Minister to agree on an arrangement that would fulfil the Corporation’s reporting obligations without compromising established governance principles and structures,” the correspondence added.
DEFENDING ITS WORK AND MANDATE
The board also responded to perceptions that it was ineffective, or only attending meetings to earn sitting allowances. Ntshingane rejected this characterization, saying it misrepresented the board’s workload and commitment.
He noted that the board had held five ordinary meetings and 22 special meetings, averaging two meetings per month, many of which did not attract sitting allowances. The board argued this demonstrated its dedication to the corporation’s mandate.
LEADERSHIP VACUUM AND RECRUITMENT DISPUTE
A major point of contention was the delay in appointing a substantive General Manager. The board warned that the prolonged vacancy had created a leadership gap, weakened strategic direction and slowed decision-making within the corporation.
According to the letter, the board had completed a recruitment process and recommended a candidate, but the minister rejected the proposal. It later sought approval to headhunt a new candidate, while also noting instructions for the appointment of Dr Selinah Busang as Acting CEO.
INVESTMENT DECISIONS AND PROJECT OVERSIGHT
The board also outlined decisions taken on infrastructure financing and investor engagement, including approval of RIC Development Botswana and the Bothakl-China Jingsau International Joint Venture as preferred investors for bulk services.
It said approvals were subject to strict conditions, including cash-flow analysis, repayment stress-testing and clarity on collateral arrangements before any final commitments.