Christian De Graaf is smiling all the way to the bank after Botswana government paid him over Fifty-eight million Pula (P58 Million) for Tautona Lodge.
De Graaf is a former Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, and a former Minister of Agriculture. He served under the tenure of His Excellency Lt Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Though he quit active politics, he is still a stalwart Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) member.
Honourable Kabo Morwaeng, the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration has told the parliament today that the lodge was bought through direct appointment from Horseshoe Ranches Company. According to Morwaeng, the the land which the lodge sits on will be used for agricultural research purposes.
“The primary consideration for acquisition of the facility was its location, which provides vast serviced land i.e. electricity connection, access road to primary road, water and waste water services including proximity to a hospital and an airport. The farm was purchased at a total sum of fifty-eight million two hundred and forty thousand (P 58 240 000.00) including Value Added Tax, as a final settlement amount for procurement of the Farm. The facility will mainly be utilized for training by Government Departments, including being a center for hosting research on the sand veldt environment, particularly wildlife, cattle rearing, agriculture and other uses. This will enable Botswana to build relevant knowledge and maximize on the economic and environmental opportunities offered by the sand veld.” said Morwaeng.
Morwaeng was answering a question by the Leader of Opposition (LOO)- Dumelang Saleshando. Maun West legislator wanted the Minister to confirm if the Government has purchased Tautona Lodge in Gantsi and if the answer is in the affirmative, to further explain: (i) the rationale for the Government purchasing a commercial hotel; (ii) the purchase price that was paid for the hotel; (iii) the planned use of the hotel by the Government; (iv) if the acquisition of the hotel forms part of the approved projects under the National Development Plan 11; and (v) why the acquisition of the hotel was considered a priority under the prevailing economic conditions.
