Former NACB CEO Shombie Ellis Loses Urgent Dismissal Case Against Ex-Minister Tumiso Rakgare

This morning, Shombie Ellis, former CEO of the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), faced a setback in her legal battle, losing with costs her urgent application contesting her recent dismissal by former Minister Tumiso Rakgare. The case, which has garnered significant public interest, highlights Ellis’s claims of retaliation after she allegedly exposed irregular financial activity within the NACB.

Ellis, who was dismissed last month following a suspension, argues that her termination came as a direct result of her decision to whistleblow on a suspicious payment of P260,000 made to what she described as a “ghost” entity. According to Ellis, her dismissal was not rooted in performance issues but rather in retribution for attempting to bring attention to the dubious transaction. She contends that this payment was made to an entity that lacked legitimacy and that her efforts to investigate the matter internally were met with resistance, ultimately culminating in her suspension and subsequent dismissal.

Despite these claims, the court’s ruling this morning dismissed Ellis’s application, with costs awarded against her, signaling that her dismissal will stand pending any further legal action. The ruling suggests that the court did not find sufficient grounds to deem her termination unlawful or to grant her request for an urgent hearing.