The electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, a flagship project under FORMER President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government, has come under scrutiny in Parliament as a member of parliament demands clarity on its ownership and procurement processes.
Shashe West Member of Parliament Jeremiah Frenzel has posed questions to the Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, seeking details on the factory’s ownership, procurement procedures, and fleet composition.
Frenzel has requested the minister to state:
- (i) Whether the EV factory is government-owned or a private entity;
- (ii) Who was responsible for the procurement of vehicles and parts for assembly, along with their costs; and
- (iii) The exact number of buses, bakkies, and sedans in the fleet.
The EV project, which was launched as part of Botswana’s push towards clean energy and industrial innovation, has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning transparency in its execution.
Tshere is expected to respond to Frenzel’s queries in Parliament, shedding light on the factory’s operations and financial implications. The government has touted the project as a step toward reducing carbon emissions and fostering local manufacturing, but scrutiny over its funding and ownership structure could put its long-term sustainability to the test.
