FLEET / NEW LIVERY - Air Botswana denies misconduct claims in E175 purchase

Air Botswana (BP, Gaborone) has dismissed what it called "false and irresponsible reporting" about its ongoing aircraft re-fleeting after the Botswana Guardian newspaper, on September 6, claimed the state-owned carrier had been duped by a third-party broker to pay BWP300 million pula (USD22.5 million) for an unairworthy aircraft that remained grounded, and that the country's security services had improperly influenced the purchase.

In a statement on September 6, the airline, its board, and the shareholder government said they found it necessary to set the record straight on the following points:

Air Botswana said it had followed the country's Public Procurement Act of 2021 in purchasing three Embraer aircraft: one E175 which arrived on August 28 and would start flying once crew training was completed, and two E145s, which are still pending delivery. The airline stressed that the E175 was certified as airworthy. "All assertions negating its airworthiness and suggesting that it is unsafe to fly are, therefore, malicious lies which must be ignored," it said.

The airline denied that any funds were transferred to a third-party agent who had since absconded with the money. Payments for the aircraft were made directly by the government when due. "No funds provided from the public coffers for this exercise have gone unaccounted for. Funds for each transaction under this exercise are disbursed to Air Botswana by the shareholder to, in turn, pay third parties only when they become due and payable."

The airline rejected what it labelled "irresponsible" and "baseless" reports of improper influence by Peter Magosi, the country's director-general of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). "No such influence was received nor solicited," it stated.

The airline also rejected allegations that the DSS had detained General Manager Lulu Ratsebotsa and Director Legal Services and Board Secretary Moyombuya "Moyo" Ngubula who had allegedly confessed to receiving recommendations from Magosi. It stated that Moyombuya did not sign any contracts related to the re-fleeting. All transaction approvals and contract signatures were handled solely by Ratsebotsa.

Air Botswana underscored that it was a key national asset and operated under the Air Botswana Act; as such it was committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.

According to the Botswana Guardian, which did not reveal its source, Magosi had persuaded Ratsebotsa to use an unidentified US broker to purchase the aircraft for BWP300 million in what turned out to be a "fraudulent transaction" as the party had since "disappeared into thin air". Magosi also allegedly influenced the airline to buy another aircraft for BWP250 million (USD18.8 million) from The Netherlands. The transactions raised suspicions with Magosi's subordinates at the DIS, but Magosi had them arrested and suspended from the agency in March 2024. The newspaper claimed that Ratsebotsa and Moyombuya were detained and questioned in line with the investigation into Magosi, which allegedly had been sanctioned by President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Concerning Air Botswana's new E175, A2-ABE (msn 17000327), the report claimed it had been "leaking oil" and displayed "severe engine vibrations" while in Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya, between August 24 and August 28, after it was ferried there from Maastricht. It claimed that Air Botswana had kept the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) "in the dark" about the aircraft's condition. A "junior pilot" had inspected the plane while experienced engineers were "overlooked". The report also claimed that another supplier had refused to deliver the two smaller E145s "because he was not paid".

Meanwhile, Rasebotsa told Botswana's The Business Weekly that the purchase price for the E175 was USD9.5 million. "The procurement process is being handled in-house and Air Botswana has not at any point used or intends to use the services of an agent. It follows therefore, that no funds have 'since disappeared' and any statement to this effect is baseless and unfounded."

For the fleeting, Air Botswana reviewed bids, inspected records and aircraft, and made payments only upon delivery, she explained. Deposits or prepayments were held in escrow until all delivery documents and verifications were complete. She said the recently acquired E175 was certified airworthy by CAAB and flown from the Netherlands to Botswana with multiple stopovers, inspected at each by Air Botswana engineers. Throughout the process, Air Botswana had thorough consultations with experts, including the Botswana Defense Force and CAAB, she said.
CH Aviation

Photo:Kelvin Jahae

A2-ABE